GERMANY: Close to 2,000 Iranians in German exile demonstrate in Berlin to protest against presidential election outcome

Record ID: 313610

  • Title: GERMANY: Close to 2,000 Iranians in German exile demonstrate in Berlin to protest against presidential election outcome
  • Date: 22nd June 2009
  • Summary: PLACARD READING "STOP KILLING" (SOUNDBITE) (German) SAHAND ZAMANI, PROTESTER, SAYING: "We are here to make very clear that the west is not looking away and that we are not looking away. We want to make clear that the European governments have the duty to diplomatically pressure Iran into a peaceful step towards the protesters." PLACARD IN CROWD WITH DRAWING OF PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD AND HEADLINE "GET OUT" (SOUNDBITE) (German) SAHAND ZAMANI, PROTESTER, SAYING: "We will not stop. Under no circumstances will we abandon our brothers and sisters, our families and compatriots. It can't be that just because we are able to enjoy freedom by living in this country they should not have freedom too. We won't stop." PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNERS AND PLACARDS PROTESTER IN CROWD HOLDING SIGN READING "PEACE" POLICEMEN WATCHING WIDE OF PROTEST
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA1XU2ZC4XERWDKB3OVYUYFISKZ
  • Story Text: Close to 2,000 Iranians in German exile and their supporters have continued their protests against Iran's presidential election outcome with a march through Berlin on Sunday (June 21), according to police.
    Carrying banners denouncing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his government, the demonstrators had gathered at Berlin's Stuttgarter Platz square before heading towards Kurfuerstendamm, one of the German capital's main shopping boulevards.
    Sahand Zamani, who identified himself as a spokesman for Sunday's protest, said "we are here to make very clear that the west is not looking away and that we are not looking away."
    "We want to make clear that the European governments have the duty to diplomatically pressure Iran into a peaceful step towards the protesters," Zamani said, adding "we will not stop."
    Organisers said ahead of the demonstration they hoped to rally together some 3,000 supporters.
    The week-long protests by Iranians in exile were held across cities in Germany.
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