Iran Protests: Filmmakers Call on Military to Lay Down Arms

A group of Iranian cinematographers published a statement asking the Iranian military to lay down their weapons and to join the people in their protest against the government.

The statement says: "These rifles have been provided to you with public funds to defend the people. Do not point them at the people and youth of Iran – and return your compatriots."

The full text of the statement follows:

"The true voice of Iran is the voice of passionate youth who have taken to the streets to honor and glorify "women" in the name "freedom". The cries of angry and rebellious people, provoked by years of lies, theft, corruption, repression, aggression and censorship, is the undeniable reality of our time; this situation has become unbearable. Independent filmmakers must stand with the people, depict suppressed truths, and break through propaganda. We stand behind the young people who are the leaders and flag bearers of this great transforming movement; beside the young people who are desperate and wise, leading a glorious movement that does not accept any type of tyranny, religious leadership or outdated dictatorship. We remind all serving military personnel, who have become agents of repression and violence against the people, that these rifles were provided to them with public funds to defend the people. Do not point them at the people and youth of Iran – and return your compatriots "

The statement was signed by more than 150 Iranian cinematographers inside and outside Iran. Among the signatories were Parviz Kimiavi, Ali Abbasi, Manijeh Hekmat, Mohammad Yaqoubi, Kaveh Farnam, Abdul Reza Kahani, Pegah Ahangarani, Shabnam Tolouei, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Saleh Najafi and Hana Kamkar.