NEW YORK (JTA) — Protesters demonstrated outside the New York headquarters of several companies accused of conducting business with Iran.
Demonstrators from Iran 180 and United against Nuclear Iran, two groups promoting a democratic Iran, rallied June 10 in Midtown Manhattan, booing a large papier mache construction of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Eni Corp., one of the companies being picketed, sent down a spokesperson to declare the Italian energy company’s plans to officially cease doing business with Iran.
The protests followed a news conference at which Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and other officials awarded Iran 180 Hero Awards to Iranian activists and dissidents.
The honorees included Shabnam Assadollahi, a human rights activist who served 18 months as an Iranian political prisoner and today voices the opinions of Iranian dissidents on her radio show "Hamseda."
The protest and conference were held on the anniversary of Ahmadinejad’s election two years ago amid widespread allegations of voter fraud and rigging.
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