WASHINGTON - Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) today condemned the Iranian government and expressed his support for the Iranian people as mass peaceful protests continue in the streets following the questionable results of last week's presidential elections.

Mack, the Ranking Republican of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, said:

"The American people, as champions of freedom, stand with the reformers and against the corrupt religious autocracy of the ayatollahs and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"As the protests continue following last week's presidential elections, the brutal Iranian government has continued to threaten, beat and kill protestors and reformers. The government has censored the media, shut down cellular and texting service in the country, and intimidated journalists covering the protests.

"Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ahmadinejad have threatened more violence and bloodshed in the streets unless the protesters are silenced and defeated.

"But the threats from a tyrannical theocratic regime will not end the Iranian people's desire for freedom and a transparent democracy. They will continue to fight for liberty and the United States must continue to let the people of Iran know that we stand with them."

Mack supported a resolution in the House of Representatives yesterday that condemns the violence in Iran and expresses Congress' strong support for the people of Iran.

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