A vote by the Seattle City Council to affirm their support for peaceful protests of the Iranian people and Iranian-Americans as well as to re-affirm the rights of Iranian immigrants and Iranian-Americans and call on national government officials to provide support has been delayed due to actions taken by the National Iranian American Council. The NIAC has protested the resolution, saying that language within the resolution calling for a federal investigation of the organization is uncalled for and unnecessary.

Seattle-based activist Saghar Amini joined The Day With Trae on Friday morning to discuss the movement and the recent developments in the proceedings.

“I want to differentiate the Iranian-American community from the NIAC. We are on different paths than some organizations, and the community has been marching,” Amini said. “We are going through many situations that have made this a local issue, our families are there, and activists are being attacked.”

Amini said she feels there are many voices that are being missed in the process, and that she has a responsibility to echo the voice of the Iranians.

“These organizations may not be doing that. I understand that they have to raise money and build an organization that’s effective, but what about the boots on the ground, what about the people who are being directly impacted by this,” Amini said.

Amini also talked about connecting with non-Iranians, and getting everyone involved in the movement. She also said the US government has been allowing Iranian officials who voted for the execution of protestors to flee to the country.

“How can we let parliament members who voted for the execution of our youth walk down the streets of New York two days later?,” Amini asked. “We want to be able to feel safe in America and have our freedom of speech.”

It is still undetermined when the City Council vote will take place.

You can watch the full interview above, and see the city council meeting here