Participation of “Free Them Now” Activists in May Day Events Across Canada
This year too, Free Them Now took part in the May Day events alongside other political and social activists in the cities of Victoria, Vancouver, and Toronto in Canada.
In Vancouver, the Vancouver and District Labour Council (VDLC) organized a well-attended event on the evening of Wednesday, May 1st, at a city hall. The ceremony began with a speech by Stephen von Sychowski, President of the VDLC, and continued with speeches by several labor activists. The Vancouver Labour Choir performed a number of workers’ songs.
Jenny Kwan, Member of Parliament for East Vancouver from the New Democratic Party (NDP), was also among the speakers. She stated that although their numbers in Parliament are small, they strive to be the voice of workers there. Masoud Arzhang, Deputy Secretary of the BCGEU and a Free Them Now associate, also spoke. He discussed the overall condition of the working class and outlined the working and living conditions of laborers in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. He also referred to the ongoing war and massacres in the Middle East, highlighting the countless victims in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. Finally, he shed light on the situation of workers in Iran, including the horrific explosion at Rajaei Port, as well as the executions and repressions by the Iranian regime.
In another action, Tahmineh Sadeghi, a member of Free Them Now and the Solidarity Committee of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), participated in CUPE’s annual provincial congress held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (May 2–4). During this congress, a resolution was introduced calling for the expulsion of the Islamic Republic of Iran—labeling it a regime of executions, gender apartheid, and suppression of workers and people. This resolution was discussed among the attendees.
In Victoria, Canada, a ceremony was held at the invitation of the labor unions CUPE and BCGEU, with a significant turnout of workers and the public, many of whom were young people. Free Them Now activists participated and engaged with political and social activists on issues concerning Iranian labor.
The main speakers of this event were from the teachers’ and municipal workers’ unions. A group of young workers from the Philippines gave an impactful talk about wage labor conditions there, the plight of migrant workers, and the severe exploitation they face, drawing considerable attention from the audience.
Carlos Flores, a retired CUPE member, also spoke about the dreadful working conditions for Iranian laborers. Farideh Bozorg, a member of Free Them Now, used the opportunity to speak about the condition of workers in Iran, especially the deadly explosion at Rajaei Port that killed dozens and injured or disabled hundreds. Her talk was well received.
Victoria’s mayor, Marianne Alto, was also in attendance. Free Them Now activists spoke with her about the imminent execution threat faced by labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi, along with Verisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi, as well as about imprisoned workers and ongoing state repression in Iran. Mayor Alto promised efforts to oppose these executions and expressed her support for Iranian workers and people in protest against such injustices.
A Free Them Now information booth was set up at the event, attracting interest particularly from young attendees. Some participants took photos holding portraits of political prisoners facing execution as a sign of solidarity with imprisoned Iranian workers. Many also contributed financially to Free Them Now, expressing their support for its mission.
In Toronto, heavy rain made organizing May Day events difficult, but the gathering still went ahead. Free Them Now activists participated alongside members of political parties and organizations, holding posters of imprisoned workers including Sharifeh Mohammadi, Pakhshan Azizi, Verisheh Moradi, and Abbas Deris, all of whom face execution. They worked to raise awareness and encourage solidarity. Some members of Sherifeh Mohammadi’s family, who is currently at risk of execution, were also present.
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