I just made a 68-year-old man tear up as we discussed what is going on in Iran. His family has been in Canada for decades, proud Canadians, yet their Iranian ties are strong. He has marched in some massive protests in Toronto on Yonge Street south of Richmond Hill, along with his family, friends and supporters for many weekends since the New Persian Spring has developed. I hope this movement will actually have an effect upon the Tyrants of Iran and also the leadership in Ottawa and Washington. Speaking to these good people has allowed me to formulate some thoughts on the matter.
Questions: Will these massive peaceful protests bring change in Iran and possibly the Middle East? They are influencing the leaders of the Free world, but what about the isolated leadership in Iran? Change for the people’s sake is simply not something the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and its leadership, the Ayatollahs, can fathom. Change symbolizes weakness, and this is something the military and political structure in Iran simply cannot allow to happen. Social change will ignite possible political change that could follow a change to their religious revolution. No can do!
1. A suggestion if I may. Millions have marched against this regime. What if these people stopped sending money to their relatives and businesses in Iran? A People’s Embargo. Transfer their monetary investments and deposits out of Iran, creating a rush on the Iranian Banking System. Iran has suffered from international embargoes for decades, but it is the Iranian Diaspora that has upheld the regime’s financial status.
2. Find out who purchases most of Iran’s Petroleum, which oil producers and distributorships are located and stop buying from them. As protesters did against the South African Apartheid Regime, they stopped buying from their corporate producers and used the media as a source to promote less offensive alternatives.
3. Place pressure upon your elected officials to enact governmental action by freezing Iranian Assets in your country, just as was done against the Apartheid Regime of South Africa. Money and Profits Talk!
To my friend Reza, and all the brave people who march for the establishment of Freedom and Democracy in Iran and the rest of the world, I say Bravo. I will walk with you and think of the young people and women of Iran who are persecuted because of their desire to better their world free of tyranny, prejudice and fear. Bravo!
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
