‘We are not ourselves anymore’: Iranian-Canadians desperate to see help for loved ones

Iranians living in Calgary say they're devastated as they watch events unfold in that country. Some say they want to see support from Canadian officials.

Ghazal Khanlarbig’s home in Airdrie, Alta., still has Christmas decorations up.

She’s been worried for friends and family in Iran since violence erupted there on Dec. 28.

“We completely froze. We are not ourselves anymore,” she said.

The Islamic Republic regime has carried out daily brutal attacks on protesters.

Some estimate upward of 2,500 people have been killed.

Those watching from Alberta, devastated, say the death toll is much higher.

With the internet and phone lines cut in Iran, Khanlarbig said she has no clue about the well-being of countless loved ones.

“This is a critical situation for every single Iranian that is outside of the country,” she said.

She and others held a rally outside Calgary city hall on Sunday and plan to continue weekly rallies.

They desperately hope for a regime change.

“I would like Calgarians to know Iranian people (have been) fighting for the past 48 years for their freedom, and we would like Canadians or Calgarians to support us,” said Eghbal Kayadan, who runs the Instagram account @iranianincalgary and has been exiled in Canada since 1990.

He and others are hoping U.S. President Donald Trump will intervene with military action and support the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, in resuming leadership.

One young Calgary filmmaker born in Canada and dedicated to his heritage says he is committed to connecting with the Iranian diaspora in Canada.

He says the most important story he will ever share is happening now in Iran.

“We in the West or anywhere else around the world don’t have any excuse to not have any hope. We have seen movements. We have seen things happening that have never happened before in the past 47 years,” said Armin Zarringhalan.

He hopes to capture history happening in Canada.

As well, he estimates about 30,000 Iranians have settled around Calgary.