TAMPA, Fla. — On Sunday, a rally will be held in downtown Tampa for a “Free Iran.”
What You Need To Know
A “Rally for a Free Iran” will be held on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. in downtown Tampa
Damineh Oveisi organized the rally to bring awareness to the protests and reported mass killings in Iran
Oveisi is hoping for international support to take down Iran’s authoritarian regime
Experts say while a friendlier regime in Iran would benefit the U.S., the president has to be careful about intervening
Damineh Oveisi organized the rally. She owns ARCpoint Labs of Clearwater. Lately, she has been thinking about her family back home in Iran.
“I couldn’t talk to them,” Oveisi said. “I couldn’t see their face. It’s been a nightmare.”
After widespread protests, authorities in Iran cut off internet service to the country. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports nearly 2,800 people have been killed. For six days, Oveisi wondered whether her family was alive. Tuesday, she got the call she was waiting for. They were okay.
“I was just crying,” Oveisi said. “I couldn’t say anything. Once I heard my sister’s voice, I just couldn’t say anything else.”
But Oveisi continues to be scared for their safety. She said the only answer is for international support to take down Iran’s authoritarian regime. It’s why she organized the rally.
“President Trump actually gave the Iranian people hope,” Oveisi said. “He told them to continue fighting and help is on the way.”
University of Tampa Economic Professor Abby Hall said that while a friendlier regime in Iran would benefit the U.S., the president should be careful about intervening.
“The potential pitfalls of intervening in Iran are many,” said Hall. “We don’t have a particularly good history of regime change and exporting democracy abroad. We also have to remember the geopolitical allies, including China and Russia.”
Arman Mamoudien is a research fellow at the USF Global and National Security Institute. He is also from Iran. Mamoudien said it’s been tough not hearing from his family. Still, he believes in a calculated approach from the U.S.
“Instead of sending aircrafts, instead of sending bombers, send Starlinks and satellites,” Mamoudien said. “Because if you send them, you raise the profile of what’s happening inside Iran.”
Oveisi said she wants action now and she hopes the rally brings more people out in support.
“We are trying to be their voice and ask the world not to stay silent,” Oveisi said.
The rally will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 600 North Ashley Drive.