B’nai Brith Canada said it's delighted Ottawa city council renamed a section of Metcalfe Street outside the former Iranian Embassy as Mahsa Amini Street. .“This is more than a symbolic gesture,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn in a Wednesday press release. .“Today, the City of Ottawa has taken a stance and affirmed its commitment to human rights at home and abroad.” .The release said B’nai Brith had circulated a petition to honour Amini and the thousands of protestors who have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed for demonstrating against the human rights abuses of the Iranian government. Amini was killed in police custody after she was arrested for improperly wearing her hijab in September. .The release said the motion which passed recognizes decades of human rights abuses and violations, theocratic tyranny, and the unequal status of Iranian women. It said it extends beyond the street renaming and affirms Ottawa’s solidarity with Iranians as they struggle and protest to bring about democracy and freedom. .The Iranian government reacted to the protests by shooting down 700 unarmed protestors, imprisoning thousands, and conducting barbaric public executions after sham trials. .B’nai Brith Canada Director of Government Relations David Granovsky said it's “extremely pleased that Ottawa City Council and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe voted in favour of this important motion.”.Granovsky said it was celebrating the vote. .“Ottawa standing for human rights is a beautiful sight,” he said. .Ottawa Coun. Ariel Troster said she was honoured to co-sponsor the motion with Coun. Theresa Kavanagh to rename a section of Metcalfe after Amini. .“Thanks to local Iranian women activists and @bnaibrithcanada for your advocacy,” said Troster. .Appeals to rename the section of Metcalfe were put forth by a number of groups in support of B’nai Brith’s advocacy and petition. Some of these groups included the Council of Iranian Canadians, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and the Jamaica Association of Montreal. .Mostyn concluded by saying as Canada’s capital, Ottawa’s actions serve “as an inspiration for other municipalities seeking to stand with Iranian-Canadians supporting their friends and family in Iran protesting for fundamental freedoms.”.“Renaming the street outside the former Iranian Embassy sends a strong message that Canadians support the people of Iran,” he said. .Kingston, ON, resident Niki Ehsan initiated a petition to the Canadian government on January 17 asking it to act against the Iranian government and support people protesting for regime change. .READ MORE: Ontario woman launches petition requesting tougher measures on Iran.“The Islamic Republic of Iran is executing Iranian protesters,” said Ehsan. .The petition requests the Canadian government declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code of Canada. It said it should designate authorities investigate reported threats and stalkings by the IRGC and third parties against Iranian-Canadians.
