GOBADI: 'This Saturday in DC is an important day for the Iranian people'

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, this is Vinnie Shahem Gobadi. It's been too long.
I'm glad you're well. I'm glad to hear from you.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
I'm glad to hear you, and I hope you're doing
all right too.

Speaker 1 (00:11):
You know, I feel as if, and I don't know, uh,
if you feel the same way. I kind of hope
that you don't. There was so much attention being paid
to the executions that continue to take place in Iran,
and there was there was such movement as far as Mariam,
as far as her plan was concerned Ravadi, as far

(00:34):
as potential overthrow of this bloodthirsty regime there and keeping
the baby shah at Bay. But I feel as if
a lot of the attention that I was seeing anyway
has slowed a bit, certainly not in Iran, but globally.
Would would you say that you feel the same way,
and that we need to get the focus back on

(00:56):
movement there and the Iranian people finally getting freedom.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, indeed, and I think the way things are going definitely,
we'll hear about Iran in two directions. One is obviously
the nefarious conduct at the regime and the troubles is
facing as a result of its own conduct. But also
there would be a lot to be heard about the
Urnian people. They desire for change. And obviously the news

(01:23):
cycle changes from time to time, but I think these
two facts will force themselves into headlines. And as John
Adams famously said, fact stars stopping things. And actually this
coming Saturday, there would be a big events in Washington,
d C to put focus back on Iran and what's

(01:44):
about to happen. And that's the first convention of its
kind of Iranians for coming to d C from all
over the United States access. As I said, it's the
first convention of its kind, free Iran Convention, and there
will be more than one thousand Urnitist scholars, activists, professionals,

(02:05):
community leaders, entrepreneurs from more than forty six estates. We're
all coming to DC from three generations, basically to address
the prospects for reaging changing round transition from theocracy to
a democratic secra non nuclear republic. So there would be
activities to put this buttlight back again where it belongs.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
So you do agree to an extent it fell off
because it's interesting to hear you talk about this important
event in DC on Saturday. Because the New York City
rally that took place was important, went well, the message
was conveyed, I believe, and received, and then things kind

(02:49):
of fell silent as far as the United States is concerned.
In the meantime, as I've been doing my coverage here,
I've befriended some people on or some Iranians Iranian born
but fled, you know, not raised in Iran, can't even
see family that they want to see in Iran because

(03:09):
they can't even get in there. And I'm watching, you know,
I now make sure I pay attention to their Twitter feed.
And the executions are a regular The number I saw
recently a number twenty three, I believe, in a remarkably
short period of time.

Speaker 2 (03:26):
You're absolutely correct. Actually, Iran is witnessing and execution is
free by the region, which has not been seen in
the past. For thirty six years, there has been a
mob of executions in Iran, which has not been seen
in the past thirty six years. Actually, into twenty four
was a landmark year because there was more than one

(03:50):
thousand executions in Iran in one year alone, and now
twenty twenty five is a different phenomenon of its own. Basically,
for instance, in September alone, there were more than two
hundred executions just in matter of one month, which was

(04:11):
unheard of for any month in the past thirty six years.
And then on October there were two hundred and eighty
five executions in just one month, which means that average
every CR's person has an on death row. And the
reason is the regime is very much fearful of another
uprising in Iran and they're using executions to intimidate the

(04:35):
public and in their attempt trying to keep the situation
under control. And at this very moment that you are speaking,
there are seventeen activists who are on death row, including
a woman who's sole charge is affiliation to the main
Arena resistance movement known as the People's Mujiaiten Organization of

(04:56):
Iran also known as Indication. These are all signs of
a regime which is basically panicking, panicking of a disenchanted
and restive population and the prospects of another uprising, and
that's going to be one of the main focuses of
the convention on Saturday as well. And actually a scores
of the victims and activists who took part in the

(05:17):
uprisings in recent years in Iran will also provide first
and insight to the discussions.

Speaker 1 (05:25):
And I've noticed, if you don't mind my saying so,
it's so difficult to say out loud and again back
on with us as Shahin Gobodi and CRI. If there's
a considerable fan base like I've seen artists under fire there,
if there's notoriety like this boxer that's on death row,

(05:46):
if there's a fan base like this regime is so
hideous and so calculated. They take note of who's got
a fan base and a considerable following. It makes me
nervous about some of the people I've befriended over the
last few months who have a considerable following on Twitter,
on acts rather, because this regime is taking note of that.

(06:09):
And if you have a sizeable following, they've got their
eye on you. Hence this Mohammed Javad the thigh heat.
Yeah yeah, thirty year old and I'm a big I'm
a boxing enthusiast. He's a hell of a fighter. He's
on death right and I believe it's his fan pain.

(06:29):
Fan base doesn't, man, they don't. Dissident is one thing.
If you're a dissident and nobody's paying attention to you.
You you might get by, but if you've got a
considerable fan base, they've got their eye on you.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
That's right true. But at the same time, if I
look at from a different perspective, you can see the
fact that you know, among the dissidents and activists who
are joining the resistance and are doing to the right
thing to bring by the chain. By the people, you
see people from all watstuff. You see, you know, people

(07:02):
very well established, you know, and very renowned athletes, you
see poets, you see authors, you see musicians, which shows
actually that the opposition to the regime is growing, is
across the board, includes several generations. Again, for instance, on Saturday,
event will have this convention, there will be people from

(07:24):
three generations, which is reflective of the situation inside you
one that you know, people from different generations, from all
the strata, from all walks of life are joining the
resistance and because they sense the change is coming. The
change is not coming on its own, obviously, these people
contribute to the change and to bring about the change
with their own toil and their endeavors. And as I've

(07:46):
said time and again in your food program, they're not
asking anyone to give them money. They're not asking for
anyone to give them weapons, and they're not asking anyone
for foods under grounds. But the fact that they feel
the regime is weaker and more isolated obviously has provided
empathies to the people joining. So Yes, on one hand,
the regime is very much more uh, panicky, and in

(08:09):
that sense, they're fearing, you know, threats from all directions,
people with fan based, people with any potential for you know,
contributing to change. But at the same time, people are
becoming more courageous and are reading to take the challenge.

Speaker 1 (08:22):
Yeah, what is Miriam Rejavi if not courageous because you know,
uh and again these are words you fear saying out loud.
And she's an older woman than I thought. I thought
she was much younger, but she I can't say that

(08:42):
every move she makes she does with one eye over
her shoulder, but she no doubt does the baby Shah
and this regime in general, they're bloodthirsty, they're calculating, they're
they're sneaky, and her assent must be very worrisome to them.

(09:04):
I'm surprised they haven't made a move on her last
part to be honest.

Speaker 2 (09:08):
Now they have several times, not actually several times. Actually
she has been with the opposition for the last fifty years,
both against the Shaw and against the Mullahs, and she
has paid heavily. I mean she has lost a sister
in hands of the Shaw's noturious secret police to walk.
As you know, the previous region was also a broadcasty
and useless and the tator shibaomis she lost a sister

(09:29):
and brother in law in hands of this regime. There
has been several attempts on her life. She's actually the
number one on the regime's hit list. But look, no
change has ever made in history without big sacrifices. So
when you want to wrest your country from hands of
a group of extremists who are basically wrecking your country,

(09:54):
obviously people have to sacrifice. And she has been leading
as an exam as a role model for sacrificing everything
so that Iran go back to where it belongs to
as a civilized nation, as a contributor to the world
piece and tranquility. So yes, there has been several several
attempts on her life. Actually, back in twenty eighteen, the

(10:16):
regime had a plan to bomb an event she was
addressing by one of the regions on diplomats who brought
a bomb literally in his briefcase from Tehran and everybody
accredited diplomat.

Speaker 1 (10:28):
Did you say to Italy, No, to France, that's.

Speaker 2 (10:33):
Where the meeting was taking place, you know, But the
diplomat was based in Vienna. He went to Iran, took
the bomb with himself. Did know they wanted to plant
a bomb in a meeting which was attended by one
hundred thousand people and Madame Marion Bradi was the king
of the speaker. So yes, there are obviously dangers involved
in this resisious movement. This has been the case. But

(10:54):
tell me where in history big changes have been made
without sacrifice. Look, the American country was brought about by
the big, big sacrifices of the funding founders. So what
I'm saying is that obviously we are going our course
in history, and I think that the more people get
to know our movement and hear about our movement and

(11:16):
the fact that the Urnis are determined to bring about
a change, I think there will be more sympathy and
more people on our side. And that's why again I
think the events like the Saturday conventions are important because
that puts it, uh, you know, this landmark one day
event basically would offer a unique, i would say, multi

(11:36):
dimensional perspective on Irene and affairs and also the imperative
of viable and effective policy with the regime which is
running there. So I think you have touched very very
important issues. Yes, their sacrifices involved, but we are quite
cognizant of what we are doing and what it takes,

(11:58):
you know.

Speaker 1 (11:59):
I mean, I'm sure you are, But as an American,
I'm interested to see the President's reaction to what takes
place in Washington and what he has to say about
what takes place in Washington on Saturday, because I've viewed
and I may be wrong, but that's why I've gotten
involved in this to the extent that I have. Javi's

(12:23):
a cent her coming into power. I see as a
good thing for America. You know, it removes the regime
building a nuclear facility, trying to anyway that threatens US
been a constant threat to America. And removing that constant

(12:44):
threat to America I see as key and I don't
Seejavi as one. I have heard from a few people, though, Sir,
that look, you know her husband though he's the co
leader of Emmy K and they're not necessarily the biggest
fans of America. What can you say to that, not
to put I'm just looking for real answers here. What

(13:06):
do you say to that?

Speaker 2 (13:08):
Well, obviously, I think as you said, when we get
rid of this regime and this transitional government by Sri
would be in power and Madame Brajevi would be in
placed as a transitional president for the six months period
and then the period to write a new constitution. I
think that would be a transformative change for betterment of

(13:29):
the Arenas first, and the region and the whole world
include United States. There would be a different chapter of
history of Iran and the whole region and to some
extent the world. The Middle East has tended into a
chaos and a place on Mayhem from the time that
the Mulas has sent it to power in Iran, and

(13:50):
it's time to undo this by the Irenis, and Madame
Brajevi is leading the way. The notion that you know,
you have to remember that when you deal with such
a regime. Obviously, they have all sorts of what are
called humanization campaigns, fiber army trying to defame the resistance,
trying to, you know, pursue a campaign of discrediting the resistance.

(14:12):
And I think you know anyone who's serious, anyone who
is knowledge and understands that this is part and parcel
of what Whattalitari region would do against their main oppositions.
So I would not be surprised by some of the
the slanders that are basically propagated by the regime.

Speaker 1 (14:29):
And yeah, that's what I've heard, Yeah, from others who
you know, they they watch the messages that I receive
on acts, some of the mi new Iranian friends who
and they they'll say right out listen, you have to
see how insidious this regime is. That's who you're hearing

(14:49):
from here, et cetera, et cetera. I hope Saturday goes well.
Perhaps we can follow up next week. We've gone too long, Shahen.
I consider you a friend now. I would want to
stay in touch with you, and maybe we can do
a Monday morning or a Tuesday morning call after this
event in Washington on Saturday.

Speaker 2 (15:10):
I'll be delighted to and I view you and also
all of your good listeners who have been redust in
this fascinating ride in the past few months, and I
wish them, and I wish every single one of them
a good day, good week, and happy weeks and months
to come. This is all for the betterment of Obviously
enis first, but trust with the whole world. And thanks

(15:32):
once again to have for having me on your good,
very good show always shaheen.

Speaker 1 (15:37):
Stay safe and we'll talk next week.