Iranian protesters must hear our voices

Iranians are mobilizing around the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom”. But their revolution has a second slogan, aimed at those outside Iran: « Be our voice. » We ignore it to our shame and peril.

The last time the Iranian people risked their lives to free themselves from the blind theocracy that subjugates them – the 2009 protests against a stolen election – Washington chose shame. The White House turned its back on protesters for a week until they gathered near the former US Embassy in Tehran chanting, « Obama, you’re either with them or with us. » It finally evoked a statement of support, but it was too little, too late.