CAMBRIDGE, MA – The Iran Freedom Concert coalition at Harvard University writes to express solidarity with the global hunger strike announced by Akbar Ganji, Iran’s leading dissident. Iranians from around the world gathered in New York this past weekend (July 14-16) to demand the release of Ali Akbar Moussavi Khoeini, and all political prisoners being held by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Iran Freedom Concert coalition is gravely concerned about the case of Ali Akbar Moussavi Khoeini, a leader of Iran’s indigenous student movement for reform. On June 12, 2006, Moussavi participated in a non-violent demonstration for women’s rights in Tehran. Iranian authorities brutally repressed the peaceful gathering and arrested some 70 activists for exercising their basic right to free assembly and free speech. While all others have since been released, Moussavi remains incarcerated, under threat of torture, in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.

As American students concerned for our Iranian counterparts, we take this opportunity to stand with our Iranian brothers and sisters who are bravely struggling for basic human rights.  We join with students across the United States and around the world in denouncing the Islamic Republic’s ruthless suppression of public discussion. The arbitrary detention and torture of political prisoners cannot be justified. 

At a time of heightened tensions between our governments, we find it particularly important for people outside of government to get involved and to support Iran’s student movement.  Setting aside the geopolitical debate surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, the Iran Freedom Concert represents a diverse coalition of students – including Democrats and Republicans – who are concerned with the state of basic civil liberties and human rights for all Iranians.  We believe that American students and human rights activists, from across the spectrum, must mobilize on a grassroots level to send a message of solidarity to the Iranian people.  In this vein, we demand the immediate release of Ali Akbar Moussavi Khoeini.  

Signed,

Adrian Gaty – Iran Freedom Concert Executive Committee
Alex McLeese – Iran Freedom Concert Executive Committee
Nick Manske – Iran Freedom Concert Executive Committee
Stephen Dewey – President of the Harvard Republicans
Eric Lesser – President of the Harvard Democrats

Please sign the petition to help free Ali Akbar Moussavi Khoeini.