Community members rally for Iran

GUELPH – About 200 people, including Iranian community members and Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, gathered at Guelph City Hall on Jan. 11 for a rally in solidarity with Iranians. A group of local Iranian community members also bussed to Toronto on Jan. 10 for a rally in Richmond Hill, attracting about 10,000 people. Weeks of widespread anti-government protests in Iran have been blamed on economic challenges but protest organizers in Guelph said the true motivation is deeper: Iranians are fighting for their freedom and the fall of the ruling regime. An Iranian official has reported 2,000 people have died in during the recent wave of protestors, while people in Iran are reporting as many as 20,000 deaths.