The Town of Newmarket is taking a stand against the authoritarian regime in Iran by raising a flag opposed to its government at Peace Park March 20.
Dignitaries and members of the Persian community attended in honour of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. But this year’s occasion comes with mass protests in the country against the government and in support of women’s rights after the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini arrested for a loose headscarf.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said there is a need for change in Iran, with people “suffering under a regime that is oppressive and cruel.”
“We stand with the Persian community here in Newmarket, York Region, Canada and in Iran,” he said. “City after city after city after country are watching and condemning the actions of that oppressive regime … When that regime no longer exists and that country is able to flourish again fully, we’re going to see amazing things.”
The country has seen months of protests and a responding crackdown by the autocratic government, which restricts women’s rights. It has generated solidarity from across the globe, with the slogan “women, life, freedom.” The government announced earlier this month that it was pardoning 22,000 arrested in anti-government protests.
Taylor said the world watches and hopes to see the Iranian people keep fighting for change.
“We stand with you,” Taylor said, adding that Newmarket welcomes Iranian people. “We strive to be one of the most inclusive communities in Canada. We want you to know you’re welcome here.”
Rather than raise the flag used by Iran currently, the municipality raised the sun and the lion flag used by Iran’s first government starting in 1903 before being abolished by the current regime. Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari, from the Ottawa area, was on hand for the occasion and explained the flag’s meaning.
“This flag represents freedom,” Ghamari, of Iranian descent, said. “This flag represents the downfall of the terrorist and illegitimate Islamic regime in Iran … Our culture and our civilization and our history dates back thousands of years and they can’t get rid of us and they can’t erase our history.”
Other dignitaries also attended, including Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas and Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk, along with other members of Newmarket council.
The town said it would be flying the flag at Peace Park until March 24.
