“Liberty, equality, fraternity” has been the national motto of France since the Revolution of 1790, but they were not much in evidence today as first a Paris court banned a pro-democracy demonstration, then police clamped down on reporters (me) covering same. Huge crowds of up to 100,000 were expected in Paris this afternoon to rally against the murderous Islamic dictatorship in Tehran. But a judge banned the gathering just hours before it was due to start after a French court was told there was a dual terrorist bomb threat against the demonstrators.
Policing was ramped up dramatically, with riot shields, side-arms and automatic weapons much in evidence. The mood, usually positive and celebratory, felt ugly. I have covered several of these pro-democracy events in different countries and they have always been positive, peaceful affairs – the Iranian diaspora merely asking for the freedoms and democracy that we enjoy in the West.
Which is why it was such a shock that just an hour or so before I was due to arrive in Place Place Vauban Square in Paris I was informed the whole event had been axed by court order.
Something did not seem right. An insider at the National Council of Resistance of Iran told me bomb threats from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps were a commonplace of every event they organised – the NCRI are seen as the greatest threat to the Ayatollah’s hideous dictatorship, with their crazy ideas of free and fair elections, gender equality and separation of religion and state. But the events had never been banned before.
Despite the ban a small number of demonstrators – far far fewer than the expected 100,000 – did turn up to Place Vauban Square and were highly vocal. But they were almost out-numbered by French riot police.
It was very, very heavy-handed, and reports suggested 20 people had been arrested and 12 people seriously wounded in scuffles.
I was there to report for The Express but was told to leave the area, in no uncertain terms, by a police officer.
I remonstrated, showing him my press card and pointing out I was a bona fide UK journalist just doing my job but I realised if I didn’t back away I was going to get nicked, which would help no-one.
The questions remain. Why was the demo banned? Why was I not allowed free access to report? What is in it for France to take a stance favouring the mediaeval Islamic dictatorship which rules Iran rather than the pro-democracy movement.
In January the Iranian people attempted an uprising from the streets.
An estimated 40,000 people – mainly young people – were gunned down by IRGC thugs and the uprising brutally quashed.
40,000 young people. Murdered in cold blood, for wanting freedom.
If that happened in any other country the UN, and the world, would be in uproar.
In Iran it is just business and usual.
I managed a few words with some protesters. Their view was that Trump’s recent war had just made life worse for pro-democracy Iranians and easier for the regime.
One said: “All we are asking is the same privileges you enjoy. Why does no-one help us. All the West does is legitimise the regime by engaging with it.”
Which is of course true. We cosy up to a hideous religio-fascist state because they have lots of oil. The Iranians have a plush embassy over-looking Hyde Park.
An American reporter I was speaking to was scathing. He said: “You guys still have skin in Iran’s game. There’s so much money at stake if the regime is toppled. The UK needs the regime to survive.”
