Sponsored by
Protest over conflict in Iran - PICTURES
BEARING placards and waving flags, protesters arrived in Sheffield city centre to make their own stand against the conflict gripping Iran.
Men, women and children chanted as some shoppers waved their support to the group outside the Town Hall yesterday.
The protesters were calling for freedom for all Iranians and say they reject the election result which saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government retain power.
Dozens of Iranians have come to Sheffield in recent years after suffering at the hands of the hard-line regime and they stood side-by-side with families who have been settled in the city for decades.
Organisers of the protest say there are now around 3,000 Iranians in South Yorkshire, increasing from just a couple of hundred 10 years ago.
One man who has been living in Sheffield for 25 years had helped organise the protest to raise awareness and encourage people to show their support.
"I think the situation in Iran at the minute is something that nobody can ignore," he said.
"A lot of young people are dying and the government is reacting in a very, very aggressive way towards them.
"It is really upsetting to see what is going on there and it is a shame to see how the government that has been in power for 30 years is being with people."
Another, who has been living in Sheffield for three years, said he believes it is important everyone understands exactly what is going on in Iran.
"We want as much support as possible for people in Iran," he said. "We are trying to make a difference.
"Not everyone understands how serious it is but there are people being killed and lots who can't even go outside their homes."
What do you think? Add your comment below.
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
