Please note, I say people. I do not name a political candidate, nor do I single out the government. My heart is with the people.

My heart has been with them so long as I can remember. As a child I feared what would happen to the people of Iran. You see - my family, we had friends there. Friends who feel like family. We prayed for safety and peace in Iran nightly. Our friends were well off, at one time had ties to the Shah. Once the Shah was overthrown we prayed for our friends safety. We had met them when Bagher came to the US to study Architecture. He was the room mate to my uncle. One year later he returned with a bride, Nahid. Bagher and Nahid spent weekends, holidays and daily life with my family until the time came for them to return to Iran and start a family. Once there they could not return to the US - for over 20 years they waited for a safe time to visit. This time did not come. It was not until 1999 when they moved to Canada that we were able to see them and for me to meet them for the first time. The day I met them face to face I knew - these people were more than friends - they were family. The boys, they are almost like brothers to me. My husband has come to know these people as family as well.

I eagerly awaited Iran's election, as I do every American election (what can I say, I love watching politics in action). Since the time that the result was announced I have watched these events unfold. I have seen the recount denied, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declare Ahmadinejad victorious and the scenes that came after. People detained after silent protest, women and men shot for peaceful assembly, security forces beating protesters with clubs. Each of these thing I have seen only by grainy footage shot by cell phone and sent on in hopes that the world would see. All press has been shut down, only the will of the people of Iran brings this to us.

At last the people of the west are seeing the people of Iran as I do. As people, people just like you find in England, Germany, or America. People who deserve a voice that has been denied to them too long. People who have been so utterly over looked by the world at large it is maddening.

For to long the government of Iran has done as it pleases with no regard for the people it governs. This situation is about to be put in check. For the first time in my life time I can say, the world is in fact watching, the WORLD not the leaders the people of the world. This will not be forgotten. The Angel of Iran will not be forgotten - Neda how fitting a woman whose name means 'voice' in her native tongue should be the one who gives voice the injustice of this.

I await a resolution, one that I fear is far off.

My heart is still with the people of Iran.