Iran

Gather at Nollen Plaza across from the Civic Center

(Arianna Huffington is speaking at the Civic Center that evening, so we'll have a good crowd to observe our solemn presence.)

NO WAR WITH IRAN 

11 AM - Nollen Plaza antiwar rally led by Occupy Wall Street/Des Moines/IA &

co-sponsored  by Catholic Peace Ministry

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Yashar Vasef  will share pictures and perspective on Iran from his trip to Iran in 2008.  Born in Iran, he fled with his family in 1988, but has maintained close ties to his Persian heritage as an Iranian-American. Currently he serves as Executive Director of the Iowa United Nations Association.  The event will be held on Wednesday, May 18th, 6:30 PM at the Central Library in Des Moines.  For more information, please contact Jeffrey Weiss at: jjwcpm@yahoo.com.  

This event will spotlight the case of the seven imprisoned leaders of Iran's Baha'i community who have been given a long prison sentence solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of religion. Speakers will also discuss the worsening overall human rights situation in Iran as well as what people can do to help.

Iowans for Diplomacy with Iran will meet on Thursday, July 1st, at 2 p.m. at 4211 Grand Avenue. To stay updated on diplomatic initiatives related to Iran, go to http://www.fcnl.org. If you have friends or organizations that can share the rich culture of Persia and the beauty of its people, contact Catholic Peace Ministry.

Waking from a dream as she slept comfortably in a remote Kurdish village in Northeastern Iran, Karla Hansen stared wide-eyed at the ceiling.  Across the border in Afghanistan, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), controlled by American pilots sitting in front of video screens inside the U.S. were dropping bombs on the poorest of Afghanistan’s poor.  Hundreds of children, beautiful children, like those who welcomed her every day during her visit to Iran, had already perished.