On 29 December 2008, the Ashraf residents’ families and supporters of the Iranian Resistance staged 109th day of sit-in in Lafayette Park, in front of the White House. The sit-in has been going on nearly four months ago in New York, outside of the UN headquarters, and later in Washington D.C., in front of the White House. Finally, the sit-in ended victoriously with the messages of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, and the leader of Iranian Resistance.
In the beginning, Mr. Alireza Jaafarzadeh read the statement of the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Then in her message to the rally participants, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance congratulated this victory to the residents of Ashraf and participants in the sit-ins and asked them to terminate their rally.
In the rally, a number of US congressmen, political and religious personalities, members of the NCRI, Iranian societies and communities in US, specialists, women, relatives of Ashraf residents and the youths supporting the PMOI congratulated the victory obtained after nearly five months of Resistance in Geneva and the US the Ashraf residents and admired the persistence of Ashraf residents.
In a telephone contact with the sit-in participants, Tom Tancredo, member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Republican from Colorado, congratulated Ashraf residents and told the rally participants: “You stayed here, in the heat and the cold, and ultimately compelled the White House to listen to you. Due to your efforts, the US government assumed its responsibility regarding Ashraf residents. You continue your job; the victory is underway and victory is yours. I appreciate you for your persistence and patience.”
In the end of the sit-in, the rally participants tossed flowers at the symbol of Ashraf.
