Iranian opposition groups, thousands rally for democracy

(26 Jun 2010)
1. Various of people gathered at the Iranian opposition rally in Taverny, holding purple umbrellas
2. Billboards with photographs of Iranian people "fallen for freedom"
3. Wide of billboard with photographs and text reading "The heroes fallen for freedom !!!"
4. Various people cheering
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sabo, supporter from Orange County in California:
"I am here to support the cause of freedom in Iran, I support all the youth and I stand behind them 100 percent."
6. Various of the people cheering
7. Delegates at the rally
8. People cheering at the rally
9. Close-up of hand making the peace sign
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shahin Gobadi, National Council of Resistance of Iran:
"This is the biggest meeting of the Iranians ever outside Iran, to send the message to the international community that the solution to the Iranian crisis is democratic change by Iranian people and Iranian resistance. We think that time has come for the international community to have a much tougher policy in Iran. We think that sanctions are good but they are not enough. The policy in Iran should rely on bringing about change in Iran by the Iranian people and the resistance. This is the message that we would like to send to the international community."
11. People shouting
12. People clapping and cheering
13. Iranian resistance leader Maryam Rajavi walking onto stage at the rally
14. Iranian flag on screen
15. Close up Rajavi at the rally
16. Wide of the people cheering at the rally
STORYLINE:
Thousands of supporters of an Iranian exile group rallied north of Paris on Saturday in protest of the Iranian regime.
The event was organised by the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
Supporters dressed in purple and holding up purple umbrellas listened to speeches and cheered.
Leader Maryam Rajavi urged the "creation of a new society, based on freedom, equality, democracy, respect for human rights and separation of religion and state."
The event Saturday, in the suburb of Taverny, drew former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and John Bolton, who served as Washington's ambassador to the United Nations.
The France-based umbrella group includes the People's Mujahedeen Organisation of Iran, which was removed from the European Union's list of banned "terrorist groups" last year.
The group is also lobbying the US to stop classifying it as a "terrorist group".

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