Taxi News supports Iranian freedom fighters
It’s deja-vu all over again. For the third time in my lifetime, Iranian citizens are fighting for freedom from a tyrannical government, and again I am praying for their success.
First in 2009, then in 2018, and now in 2026, Iranians are being shot and killed by their own government agencies. It is a nightmare Canadians can barely contemplate.
Ironically, just before the Christmas holiday, I wrote a sweet and funny piece about my Iranian neighbours in Durham. It was about my favourite, very helpful Iranian Taxi driver and all it was all about love; it had nothing to do with war.
Before I ever got that piece posted, however, the current revolution broke out in the streets of Iran and suddenly, that story seemed to be quite inappropriate in light of the current news that Iran’s own government has slaughtered 12,000 of its citizens in the streets.
Yesterday, I did an in-depth interview with Jafar Mirsalari, one of Toronto’s top Taxi drivers and a motivational and inspirational hero to everyone who knows him. Before yesterday, I did not realize Jafar had been imprisoned, tortured and beaten by the Iranian National Guard before he escaped in 1982. I was stunned and aghast, listening to the details of his torture before he finally arrived in Canada to build a new life.
My mind is still reeling from that conversation yesterday. In the days ahead, I hope to write more meaningfully about the fight in Iran, and also to find information to assist readers who would like to support the fight. I will be praying and donating and contributing in any meager way that I can and I hope you will too.
In 2009 and 2018, the Iranian people were abandoned by the globe as they fought bravely against tyranny. Perhaps in 2026, with real help and even support from Donald Trump’s administration, the citizens will succeed.
For the most current news from Iran available, Jafar suggests Canadians visit news site Iran International.
شورای سردبیری ایراناینترنشنال در واکنش به کشتار بیسابقه معترضان در ایران اعلام کرد: «کشتار ۱۲هزار شهروند ایرانی در سکوت دفن نخواهد شد.»
— ايران اينترنشنال (@IranIntl) January 13, 2026
بررسی جزییات این بیانیه در گفتوگو با محسن مهیمنی، عضو تحریریه ایراناینترنشنال pic.twitter.com/vZfIBNoBWA
Read “Democracy for Iran” originally published in 2018 in Taxi News and the Toronto Sun
