Help AAIRIA Defend Free Speech, Fight Antisemitism, and Seek Justice

We are facing a federal lawsuit for our human rights advocacy. We need your help to defend ourselves and continue our work.

Why We Urgently Need Your Support

On October 6, 2026, former University of Arkansas professor Shirin Saeidi filed a federal lawsuit against AAIRIA, its president Lawdan Bazargan, journalist Benjamin Weinthal, Arkansas State Senator Dan Sullivan, and several university officials.

The lawsuit follows AAIRIA's public campaign raising concerns about Saeidi's statements, academic research, and social media activity, including her reposting of the message: "Thrust the dagger from Doha into the throat of the Zionists, s that all of them howl."

The University of Arkansas conducted its own investigations and disciplinary proceedings and ultimately terminated Saeidi's employment.

Saeidi's complaint accuses AAIRIA and others of conspiracy, defamation, harassment, and additional wrongdoing. It also challenges Arkansas Act 721, the state's antisemitism legislation.

We categorically reject the allegations against us. Our advocacy consisted of documented research, public statements, and communications with institutions and elected officials. We believe our activities are protected by the First Amendment.

Now, our small volunteer organization faces the enormous expense of defending itself in federal court.

Who We Are

AAIRIA — the Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists — is a volunteer advocacy organization dedicated to exposing human rights abuses committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and challenging efforts to justify, conceal, or minimize those abuses in Western institutions.

Our members and supporters include former political prisoners, families of executed prisoners, human rights advocates, researchers, and members of the Iranian diaspora.

Our Record of Advocacy

Since 2022, AAIRIA has conducted public research and advocacy concerning individuals associated with the Islamic Republic or accused of minimizing its human rights abuses.

Our campaigns have included:

- Mohammad Jafar Mahallati: The Islamic Republic's former ambassador to the United Nations, whose conduct during the 1988 prison massacres became the subject of public scrutiny. Oberlin College subsequently placed him on permanent administrative leave.

- Seyed Hossein Mousavian: The Islamic Republic's former ambassador to Germany, whose diplomatic tenure overlapped with the 1992 Mykonos assassinations of Iranian dissidents. AAIRIA publicly challenged his affiliation with Princeton University, which later announced his retirement.

- Shirin Saeidi: AAIRIA raised concerns about her public statements, social media activity, and allegations involving the accounts of former Iranian political prisoners cited in her academic research.

Our approach is to document concerns, bring them to public attention, and ask institutions to conduct their own independent reviews.

Why This Case Matters

This case is about more than AAIRIA or one professor.

We believe it raises important questions about:

- The First Amendment rights of human rights activists to speak out and petition public institutions.

- The ability of journalists and researchers to investigate controversial public conduct.

- The responsibility of academic institutions to address complaints involving antisemitism.

- The right of survivors of political persecution to challenge those they believe are defending or whitewashing authoritarian regimes.

We should not have to abandon our advocacy simply because defending ourselves in court is expensive.

How Your Donations Will Be Used

AAIRIA has historically relied largely on volunteer work and personal financial contributions. We do not have the resources of a large organization.

Funds raised through this campaign will support:

- Legal representation: Attorney fees and assistance from qualified federal litigators.

- Court and litigation expenses: Filing costs, legal motions, and other necessary proceedings.

- Evidence and document review: Organizing, preserving, and reviewing records relevant to our defense.

- Legal research and case preparation: Supporting the work required to respond to the claims against us.

Please Stand With Us. We urgently need your support.

Donate: Every contribution, regardless of size, will help us meet the costs of defending ourselves.

Share: Please send this campaign to friends, colleagues, journalists, attorneys, and organizations committed to free speech, human rights, and combating antisemitism.

Media Coverage of Our Federal Lawsuit

Our legal battle is beginning to receive media attention. The following independent news reports provide additional information about the lawsuit, its background, and the challenge to Arkansas's antisemitism legislation.

World Israel News: AR prof fired for calling for Israel’s destruction

Southern Jewish Life: Fired prof. challenges AR campus Jew-hatred Law

We encourage supporters to read these reports to better understand the issues involved in this federal lawsuit.

Your donations will help us defend ourselves against the claims brought against AAIRIA and its president.