With all the sabre-rattling of the current administration and the general paranoia of the state of Israel, surrounded as it is by enemies, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Iran is a large, diverse country that includes more viewpoints than those of extremist mullahs or the reactionary President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Peace activist, attorney and co-founder of Swing the Vote Rudy Perkins gives a slideshow talk detailing his recent two-week trip, with an interfaith delegation, to the cities of Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and Qom. The delegation met with minorities in government including Jewish members of the Iranian parliament, leaders of the Armenian Christian community in Iran and other religious organizations that oppose war and escalation of tensions and favor more open dialogue with Western powers. The talk is free and open to the public.
June 26, 7 p.m.,
Grace Church Parish Hall,
14 Boltwood Ave., Amherst;
June 27, 7 p.m.
Lyman Hall, First Churches
129 Main St. Northampton
(978) 544-2653
