PRESS RELEASE

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH ARTS AND CULTURE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN IRAN The United Nations’ International Human Rights Day For Information: Ali Reza (310) 458-3936 || Soraya: (310) 990-1696 For Immediate Release LOS ANGELES: On Saturday December 12th, 2009, United4Iran- SoCal[1], an umbrella coalition dedicated to human rights and democracy will host an event “Arts United 4 Iran” in conjunction with Amnesty International and other organizations from 1:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Artists from around the world will come together in solidarity with the Iranian people’s struggle for human rights and democracy. The day will be filled with music, visual arts & performing arts not only to highlight the violations of human rights and specifically institutional violence and discrimination against women, but also to bring awareness and celebrate the Civil Rights Movement in Iran. The event will honor the 61st anniversary of the UN adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the U.N. International Human Rights Day (December 10th). December 12th also marks the six-month anniversary of the June 12Th Presidential election in Iran, which triggered massive peaceful protests that were violently suppressed by the Islamic Republic’s security forces, reports of which have been seen by millions of people all around the world. Many brave artists in Iran are speaking out demanding human rights and it is up to each and every one of us living in the free world to support them. We ask the media and people to show their support by attending and covering this event. Schedule of the program (additional programs will be announced upon confirmation) : MC: Nazanin Boniadi, Amnesty International’s spokesperson, accomplished actress 1:00– 8:00 pm Art Gallery Exhibition by Iranian Visual Artists 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Movie/Documentary by: Rakhshan Banietemad 3:00 – 5:30 pm Speeches: Hadi Ghaemi, Coordinator of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran; A representative of the One Million Signature Campaign; Hassan Yousefi Eshkevari, Scholar/Thinker of religious renaissance; Shirindokht Daghighian – poetry, video clips 5:30 – 7:30 pm Music: Shams Ensemble, Tahmoures, Shahab, Shahin & Hamid Reza; Azad Hip hop artist & more 7.30. – 8:00 P.M Rally (Pending Permit) Sponsors

• Amnesty International
• Society for Human Rights in Iran (Southern California)
• One Million Signature Campaign in California
• Society for Democracy in Iran

[1] United4Iran- SoCal, is a non-partisan coalition of Southern California Organizations, individuals and groups who stand in solidarity with the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy and human rights.