At the September 26, 2022 Regular Membership Meeting, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 389 (North Shore) unanimously passed a motion by one of its Unit Representatives, Amir Bagheri, to condemn the brutal oppression the Iranian people are facing at the hands of the relgious theocracy imposed on them.
“The motion calls for our provincial and national union family to join us in condemning the inhumane treatment of the Iranian people by calling on the Government of Canada to do what it can to help the people of Iran” said Yvette Mercier, President of CUPE 389. Mercier says that North Vancouver is home to one of the largest Iranian diaspora communities in Canada and her members are very upset by the images of women being arrested, beaten, and unfortunately, even killed, for refusing to wear a mandatory hijab. “Even though this is just a small symbolic act, we wish to add the voices of the 3200 CUPE 389 members who build and maintain our community, care for the most vulnerable and foster young minds through education, to the many voices in Canada and around the world who want the Iranian people to know we care.”
The motion reads:
“We call on CUPE BC and CUPE National on behalf of Local 389 to lobby the Canadian government to call for the Islamic Republic of Iran to stop violence against women and protesters and to recognize the right to peaceful protest against the wearing of the mandatory hijab.
Because: Many Iranian women are forced to wear the hijab by morality police and those who refuse to do so are beaten and arrested. We ask the government of Canada to call on the Iranian regime to stop systemic harassment and repression of women in Iran and to respect and honor human rights and women’s right to peaceful protest against the hijab.”
“We will always defend and protect the rights of our Muslim sisters and brothers in freely exercising their religion, including, if they wish, to wear the hijab. What we are against is the use of violence to force people to conform against their will. We extend our support, solidarity and prayers to all people facing oppression and violence and look forward to a day when the Iranian people will again be free” said Mercier.
CUPE Local 389 is a trade union representing workers at the District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, Northlands Golf Course, School District #44, Village of Lions Bay, North Vancouver City Public Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, the North Shore Neighbourhood House and at the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.
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A powerful solo protest in the Iranian capital: a woman is walking hijabless with a sign that says: Woman, life, freedom.” #Mahsa_Amini #مهسا_امینی
— Golnaz Esfandiari (@GEsfandiari) September 27, 2022
