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July 21, 2010
Public Forum

No War On Iran
U.S. Stepping Up
War Drive Against Iran



Organized by Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO)

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July 21 MAWO Forum Report

 On July 21st dozens of people met at Joe’s Café in Vancouver, Canada to discuss the increasing threats of war on Iran by the United States. The public forum was organized by Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) and was called in response to the latest set of UN Sanctions against the people of Iran.

The evening opened with over 1 hour of historical films and current news clips detailing US and UK interference in Iran. Some of the films expose how US government officials strategize how to destabilize Iran, while other films covered the new United Nations sanctions imposed on Iran. These films gave a well rounded background to why the US and its imperialist allies are so determined to go to war with Iran.

Following the films forum MC Payvand Pejvack, an organizer with MAWO and the Iranian Communities Against War (ICAW), welcomed up the keynote speaker: Ali Yerevani, a participant in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the political editor of the Fire This Time newspaper, and a founding member of ICAW.

Ali outlined the importance of Iran for the US and their imperialist allies. He pointed out the strategic importance and influence of Iran, and that the US cannot tolerate it being the independent state that it is today. “When we discuss the issue of sanctions,” Ali started, “it is important to note that these sanctions are not intended to overthrow the Iranian government. No, they are in place to weaken Iran. Just like they weakened Iraq with sanctions for a decade before the US invaded in 2003. And it was those sanctions that killed over 1.5 million Iraqi civilians.”

Payvand facilitated a lively discussed that followed. Forum participants voiced their opinions on how to build broader opposition to the US attacks on Iran. Something that was said emphasized in discussion was that MAWO needs to reach out to other antiwar and peace coalitions across North America to unite against this US aggression.

The forum opened up a necessary discussion on the imperialist agenda for Iran. With the new era of war and occupation focusing on Iran, the antiwar movement needs to unite and continue to mobilize to stop the imperialist agenda of war on Iran.