To our esteemed community,

It deeply saddens and alarms us to witness behaviours that not only contradict our core values but also undermine the very essence of our movement. The revolution sparked by the tragic martyrdom of Mahsa was the beginning of a global awakening. It remains a symbol of the sacrifices made by countless brave individuals. This revolution is the testament of our generation's fight for the lost freedoms. No one can hijack this revolution from our generation; the only generation that can truly succeed in reclaiming our freedoms.

It is disheartening and, frankly, disgusting to see acts of bullying, and even death threats, emerging from some members of the community. Such behaviour tarnishes the essence of our revolution and mirrors the tactics used by the Revolutionary Guards in Iran. Threats and intimidation, built on creating a climate of fear, will only damage the momentum we have worked so hard to establish.

We firmly believe in the principles of democracy, and it's imperative that our actions and those of our community members reflect this commitment. No true change can come from replicating the very behaviours we oppose. Due to these safety concerns, our group will no longer participate in any protests. Instead, we will harness the power of online platforms and continue our fight through other channels.

We are aware of the anticipation surrounding the anniversary of Mahsa's martyrdom. Many in our community had hoped to commemorate this day, with events planned in Auckland. Despite our differences with the other organizing group, we sought to collaborate for the event, but they declined. We were looking forward to collaborating with the Voice of Iranians group for an artistic program, involving MPs who are invited to speak, intended to appeal to both Iranians and non-Iranians alike. However, due to the intimidating behaviour from some within our community, and following advice from the police, we have decided to cancel the upcoming event.

To be clear, our decision is not a reaction to the baseless threats from a minority. Instead, it stems from our profound respect for the broader Iranian community, combined with our commitment to upholding the image we have cultivated within the Kiwi community in New Zealand. Preserving this image is paramount, as their continued support is invaluable and deeply cherished." We aim to maintain focus on our primary objective - to honour and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

The criticism regarding the absence of the Iranian flag in our poster is superficial and misses the broader point. It's not uncommon for global rallies to forgo the use of national flags, especially when the primary audience isn't familiar with what each flag represents. In this case, our target audience consists of non-Iranians. To them, the nuances of national symbols might be lost, making the inclusion of the flag a moot point.

Moreover, many in our audience, including Kiwis, are familiar with the name "Mahsa Amini" and the significance of the issue, which is more pertinent to the core message we're trying to convey. It's crucial to understand that our posters are meticulously crafted to mirror the objectives of our rallies. Their design is strategic, prioritizing resonance and clarity over the mere display of a flag.

The aforementioned threats and insults will, in due course, be addressed legally. This serves as a reminder that in a free society, everyone has the right to express their opinions, even when they diverge from the views of another group.

In solidarity

WLF.NZ GROUP