DAR Constitution Hall
Thursday, April 14, 2005
State delegations of Iranian-Americans across the U.S. converged on Washington, DC, to participate in the 2005 National Convention for a Democratic, Secular Republic in Iran. The historic event was held on Thursday, April 14, at DAR Constitution Hall, Washington D.C.
More than 40 states – including California, Colorado, Texas, New York, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia and Florida – were represented in this convention, building a consensus to support the “third option” toward Tehran: No to Appeasement, No to War, Yes to democratic change by the Iranian people.
Members of the U.S. Congress, including Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Iran Democracy and Human Rights Congressional Caucus, and former U.S. government officials and parliamentarians from Europe and Canada addressed the half-day convention. Prof. Raymond Tanter, formerly with the U.S. National Security Council, and Dr. Neil Livingstone, a-renowned terrorism expert, were among the speakers.
Representatives of state delegations addressed the convention and expressed the need for a coherent and effective Iran policy, one that echoes President Bush’s remarks in his 2005 State of the Union Address: “And to the Iranian people, I say tonight: As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you.”
Iran’s celebrated female vocalist, Marjan – silenced by the Iranian theocracy – performed in public for the first time in 25 years. Iran’s national wrestling champion Mr. Eskandar Filabi, Iranian-American professionals and academics, representatives of religious and ethnic minorities, and women activists also made statements. The platform of the convention, included positions to address the Tehran regime’s human rights abuses, support for terrorism and nuclear weapons program.
