Austinites mourn Iran's losses

AUSTIN (KXAN) - On Monday evening at the pedestrian bridge on Lady Bird Lake, hundreds of people gathered to remember the people who have died from protesting in Iran.

Organizers thought there would be 300-400 people gathering, but throughout the day more and more people confirmed they were coming.

The gathering wrapped up at about ten in the evening. Before that, there was candlelight remembering the named victims and unnamed victims the organizers believe are at the heart of the protest in Iran.

Many of the folks attending were Iran natives, who were in Austin for school and business.

For them, it was just a small way to say 'we're here in support of family and friends.'

"Many Iranians are dying, and you know, it's a shame. It's a shame that they're suffering there, just because they want to stand up for their rights," said Ehsan Nemar, who traveled to the vigil from Lubbock.

"It's the least that we can do. Right now, there's no way of us helping. We're not in Iran now, we can't go out in the streets and help, and stand with everybody... this is the least that we can do." said Shieria Shoghi who's family still lives in the Middle Eastern nation.

Unlike the local demonstration from about a week ago, this one was silent and somber.

Organizers asked that participants bring no signs and wear dark clothing to mourn the losses.