The demonstrators in the United States say the Iranian government oppresses its citizens  ALSO: Iranian students set Saturday deadline for pro-democracy demands  MESSAGE BOARD: Unrest in Iran

July 16, 1999
Web posted at: 1:57 p.m. EDT (1757 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A week after pro-democracy protests erupted against their homeland's Islamic fundamentalist-led government, many Iranians now living in the United States are in solidarity, holding demonstrations of their own.

Thousands of them rallied in Washington on Friday, one day after another large group mobilized outside the federal building in Los Angeles.

The U.S. demonstrators say they hope to draw worldwide attention to what they allege is oppression by the government, which they accuse of killing its own citizens.

The student-led protests that began July 9 in Tehran have brought to a head the power struggle between government hard-liners and moderates who back reformist President Mohammad Khatami.

Students began their protest after police stormed a dormitory on the campus of Tehran University. At least two people were killed and about 20 seriously injured during the ensuing protests.

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