BEHIND THE IRAN HEADLINES Series, July 22, 2024, Alireza Jafarzadeh, NCRI-US Deputy Director
The late Sheila Jackson-Lee, an esteemed member of the U.S. Congress from Texas, has left an indelible mark on the world through her steadfast support for human rights and democracy.
For nearly three decades, Sheila Jackson-Lee championed the cause of the Iranian people and their Resistance movement. Her advocacy for a democratic Iran was unwavering, and she stood as a beacon of hope for those oppressed by tyranny.
I first met Sheila Jackson-Lee in 1995, when she had just entered the U.S. Congress. As a fierce fighter for justice, she was instrumental in delisting the main Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, also known as the MEK. In 1998, she joined a letter of 220 House members opposing the FTO designation of MEK, describing it as a “legitimate resistance movement.”
In December 2009, amidst the crackdown on Ashraf residents by the Iraqi government, Jackson-Lee condemned the attacks, emphasizing the need for U.S. intervention to prevent further violence.
In February 2023, Rep. Jackson-Lee co-chaired the “Iranian Women Caucus” in the U.S. Congress alongside Rep. Nancy Mace. They introduced bipartisan Resolution 310, condemning the Iranian regime’s inaction regarding the poisoning of Iranian schoolgirls.
During the 2023 Free Iran World Summit, Rep. Jackson-Lee praised Mrs. Rajavi and the Iranian Resistance for their relentless fight for democracy. She expressed her gratitude for their courage and dedication.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, expressed her profound grief and heartfelt condolences in a message:
“The people of Iran have lost a passionate defender, and I have lost a close and compassionate friend who stood with the Iranian Resistance for several decades, even in the most challenging circumstances. She defended the Iranian Resistance against the clerical regime, the policy of appeasement, and unjust labels, defended PMOI members in Ashraf, and faced many adversaries with unwavering courage.”
Rest in power, Sheila Jackson-Lee. Your legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in our quest for a democratic and just world. In a free and democratic Iran, you will be fully remembered.