On July 13, 2019, Ashraf 3, new home to members of the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) hosted many Iranians and distinguished figures from the world’s five continents. Governor Tom Ridge was one of the prominent politicians who took part in the gathering and delivered important remarks. He said:

“You can imprison a man or a woman but you can’t kill an idea. You can exile a man or a woman but you can’t kill an idea,” said Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania and the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, during his speech at the MEK rally in Ashraf 3.

“I say to each one of you, we pay tribute to your relentless pursuit for justice and freedom in your homeland which has a rich history and culture and has contributed much to the rest of the world,” Governor Ridge said. “You fight for all who cherish freedom and democracy around the world.”

“There are probably millions in the world whose prayers are with you and your cause. Sometimes in your lives, you have to pursue causes bigger than yourself. 120,000 men and women have died embracing a cause bigger than themselves. You are embracing a cause bigger than yourself and you will prevail,” Governor Ridge said in his speech.

“Your courage and sacrifice will be responsible for the freedom and democracy of freedom generations. The same privileges that we take for granted in our countries,” Governor Ridge concluded.