On day three of Nazanin and Richard Ratcliffe’s hunger strike, Cardiff Amnesty send their support to the family.

You may have seen the news that Richard Ratcliffe is on hunger strike outside the Iranian embassy in solidarity with his wife, Nazanin, the British-Iranian charity worker who began her third hunger strike in protest of her continued imprisonment in Iran.

Nazanin made a commitment to strike if she was still in prison on the birthday of her daughter, Gabriella, who turned five last Tuesday. It is difficult to believe that it is now 12 months since the people of Cardiff sent a birthday message to Gabriella on her fourth birthday.

We had all hoped this terrible situation would have been resolved long ago.

It is also hard to know how to support Nazanin and Richard in these difficult times – an ordinary family torn apart in the most extraordinary circumstances. For that reason Cardiff Amnesty are proud that the ‘chain of care’ that supporters from around the country have been knitting could be seen with Richard in his protest outside the Iranian embassy.

As a longstanding member of Cardiff Amnesty observed, ‘Every stitch of that chain is a thought for Nazanin’. We hope that this knowledge brings some small comfort to the family at this incredibly difficult time.

 

Once again Cardiff Amnesty want to say thank you to all the knitters from across the UK who have contributed to this chain.

Show your solidarity

You can show your solidarity with Nazanin and Richard on the 7^th July at Stand Up in the Park. Sunday 7^th July will mark 1,190 days since Nazanin’s arrest in Iran. At this night of Stand Up Comedy we will unveil the full length ‘chain of care’ made up of multiple knitted links, each containing 1,190 stitches.

Stand Up in the Park

Compered once again by the outstanding Clint Edwards, the third “Naz Night” of comedy at Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival on Sunday 7^th July will feature superb comedians:

• Robin Morgan – A brilliant Welsh act who writes on Have I Got News For You, News Quiz and Mash Report
• Dane Baptiste – Star of Live at the Apollo, Tonight at London Palladium, and his own sitcom Sunny D.
• Angela Barnes – Multi award winning star of Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, and host of Newsjack.

Details

Stand Up in the Park takes place in Sophia Gardens on Sunday 7^th July at 8.00pm, with the bar open from 7.00pm. Tickets are £18.00 and are available here.

Please help us spread the word by circulating news of this event. You can also take action today by signing the petition here calling for Nazanin’s release.

To get involved or to learn more contact Owen at amnesty.cardiff@btinternet.com