{"id":36482,"date":"2022-09-03T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2022-09-03T05:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=36482"},"modified":"2022-09-02T16:42:06","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T14:42:06","slug":"tom-ridge-former-united-states-secretary-of-homeland-security-addresses-the-free-iran-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/activities-outside-iran\/2022\/09\/tom-ridge-former-united-states-secretary-of-homeland-security-addresses-the-free-iran-2022\/36482\/","title":{"rendered":"Tom Ridge, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Addresses the Free Iran 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Tom
Tom Ridge, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Excerpts of the speech of Tom Ridge, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security, at the Free Iran 2022, is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Madame Rajavi<\/a> and freedom fighters at Ashraf-3<\/a> and distinguished and honorable guests, I wish I could be there in person today, but I join you in spirit. I have attended the annual summit of the Iranian resistance for a dozen years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year I found that this gathering symbolizes your steadfast stand for democracy and freedom in your nation and your concerted opposition to the religious dictatorship. This dictatorship is a threat to your people, as well as to the region and the balance of the world. I have met with many of you individually and talked with you. I have learned of your journey and your dreams and your love of country and your fellow citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have all sacrificed so much. You\u2019ve worked so hard and lost so much. But in all of this, what is so inspiring is your eternally positive outlook, your unflinching resolve. And I hope you inspire in others. I hope that represents your determination to bring fundamental change in a democratic republic to your country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your resistance grows in strength, day by day. There is the rising tide of protests and impact of opposition actions by MEK resistance units in Iran that encourage people to voice their opposition to the regime and shatters the regime\u2019s air of invincibility and intimidation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regime today symbolizes a very weak theocracy. It has no solutions but to suppress its people, especially women. It is at the height of its internal political and social isolation. Supreme leader Ali Khamenei<\/a> engineered Ebrahim Raisi<\/a>\u2018s presidency in the false hope that his brutality could stem the tide of protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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