Iranians in UK rally as they worry over loved ones
BBCHundreds of people who gathered in a city centre to show solidarity with the Iranian community say they are "living with fear" over what may be happening to their loved ones.
Almost 300 people came together at College Green in Bristol on Sunday to protest, in response to the unrest in Iran over the country's supreme leader.
A violent response to the protests has claimed 3,090 lives, according to US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency, and an internet blackout has made it difficult to get clear information.
Kaveh Darafshi, living in Bristol, has not heard from his family in Iran, and said: "The pain we carry is hard to explain. The main thing we want to know is, are they alive?"
The protests in Iran, which began on 28 December over their anger at another sharp fall in the value of the Iranian currency, the rial, against the US dollar on the open market.
The unrest turned into calls for the end of the rule of Iran's supreme leader.
The Iranian government has called the demonstrations "riots" backed by Iran's enemies.
US President Donald Trump recently urged Iranian demonstrators to "keep protesting" and threatened military intervention if security forces killed them.
The Iranian government imposed an internet blackout on 8 January, apparently to stifle dissent and prevent international scrutiny of a government crackdown on protesters.
It means families overseas have no way of contacting their loved ones.
Darafshi added: "With the internet blackout it's very hard for us in Europe to see what's going on there.
"My grandparents, my cousins, my uncles, I haven't heard from them in a while."
Darafshi joined the peaceful protest on College Green, which is hoping to raise awareness of the situation in Iran and show solidarity to the protesters in the country.
Hamiv Anzabi, who lives near Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, said he currently had no connection with his family in Iran.
"No connection, no internet, no phone call, for weeks," he said.
"Sometimes, maybe, from the news, we know there were more killings in our country."
Rachael Bee is part of an Anglican church in Bristol and joined the peaceful protest to show solidarity.
She said: "Everyone has come out with a story.
"For me it feels like an emotional day and possible hope for people to be truly Iranian again."
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