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Protest Visit of Farah, Shah's Wife

By VVAW

"5000 Cops to Guard Shah's Wife." "Heavy Security Mobilized, Thousands of Police Detailed to Protect Farah."

These statements were read and heard in the media on January 12th in New York City. The reason for the size of the protective force was obvious: in November, 1977, the Shah of Iran and his U.S. ruling class friends were taught one hell of a lesson. Pictures of the Shah wiping his tear-gassed eyes on the White House lawn while members of the Iranian Student Association (ISA) duked it out with SAVAK agents and Washington police were still fresh in the minds of people around the world.

This dinner had one basic purpose: to reaffirm the bloodstained alliance between the murderous regime of the Shah and America's rich and powerful. The Rockefellers, Kennedys, Mellons, Buckleys and Lady Bird Johnson made up a part of the infamous guest list.

Once again, however members of the ISA and their supporters including VVAW decided that the Shah, his wife, or any other representative of the fascist regime in Iran would not be welcome.

Because of the previous experience in Washington, the government and New York city police department were scared stiff of a repeat performance. That's why, on the evening of the dinner, 500 police in riot gear were mobilized for the few square blocks near the Hilton. It looked more like a military maneuver than just police protection. They also stood out as a clear illustration of the fear felt by the ruling class.

On the block south of the hotel there was a staged pro-Shah demonstration of about 500 people. A number of the participants, when interviewed by the press, claimed that all expenses were paid for them to fly to New York to take part in this farce. To the north of the hotel, the ISA, VVAW, the Revolutionary Student Brigade and the National United Workers Organization as well as others were assembled 1500 strong waiting for the opportunity to give Farah as hot a welcome as possible.

"The Shah is a murder!" "Down with the Shah!" "Down with U.S. imperialism!" These chants and slogans were heard by thousands who either passed by or gathered near the demonstration.

While the demonstration continued, Farah arrived by a secret entrance. Unknown to the gathering in the huge dining room was the fact that several Iranians and Americans (including members of NUWO) had obtained invitations. When Empress Farah got up to speak she was greeted by interruptions from around the room. As Nelson Rockefeller gave her pats of reassurance, people stood up and denounced the Shah and his fascist rule in Iran. All in all there were about a dozen people arrested inside and outside the building for "causing a disturbance."

The evening never turned into the melee that took place in Washington but nevertheless it was a victory for the ISA. The ruling class was scared--they had to be or why would they have called out an army of riot police.

Before she left for Iran, Farah gave several interviews. She denounced the demonstration and denied the "allegations" as she called them against the Shah. But this was feeble defense. The people of New York had joined with the ISA to give Farah Pahlevi and the rich who honored her, an evening they won't forget and a message that whenever they raise their ugly head and proclaim their bloody message of death, repression and exploitation for profits, we will confront them with our contempt and determination to fight back.