Iran Solidarity UK organises regular weekly demonstrations in Trafalgar Square against the continuing persecution of political activists and in support of human rights in Iran. They are a part of an international movement to demonstrate solidarity with the Iranian people who live under a regime of tyranny.

Since June 2009, millions of Iranians have protested for greater freedom in Iran, and the protests hit the world headlines when Neda Agha-Soltan was shot dead during a street demonstration on 20 June 2009. Thousands have been arrested, tortured to make untrue confessions and then condemned in unfair trials and many have been executed.

Saturday's demonstration was in protest at the executions of five political activists - four men and a woman - on Sunday 9 May; Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydarian, Farhad Vakili, Mehdi Eslamian and Shirin Alam-Houli. Protests have already taken place in Iran and at Iranian embassies in various cities around the world against these killings.

The repression has hit particularly hard in the border areas of Iran where a large proportion of the population is Kurdish and where most of the mineral wealth of the country is located. A general strike took place there on Thursday May 13 closing down most shops and bazaars following these executions of Kurdish activists. Despite the possibly extreme consequences, many students, workers and others continue to protest and try to rid themselves of the dictatorship that has been in charge of the country for over 30 years.

The protesters in London called for the media to report on what is happening on the streets of Iran and for people and organisations across the world to show their support for the struggle of the people of Iran.

More information about the situation in Iran and the protests on the Iran Solidarity UK blog at  http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/

A similar report, with more pictures, is on Demotix:
 http://www.demotix.com/news/331736/london-protest-against-executions-iran

More pictures on My London Diary  http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2010/05/may.htm#iran in a few days.