A letter to the editor published on January 18, 2026, in the Toronto Sun has sharply questioned the perceived silence of prominent Western activist movements regarding the ongoing struggle of the Iranian people against their government.
A Call for Solidarity with Iranian Protesters
The letter, authored by Bruce Forsyth of Barrie, Ontario, comes amid a context where, as he writes, Persians are "closer than ever before in successfully overthrowing the oppressive, theocratic dictators of Iran." He directly challenges several groups to explain their lack of vocal support.
Forsyth asks where the feminists, the anti-Trump "No Kings" agitators, and the "Handmaid's Tale cosplayers" are now. He argues that the fictional Gilead's oppression of women is a direct parallel to the reality in post-1979 Iran, suggesting those who protest for women's rights in North America should be championing the cause of Iranian women.
Contrasting Global Causes
The letter draws a pointed comparison with other international crises. It specifically mentions climate activist Greta Thunberg, accusing her of abandoning the climate "crusade" to advocate for other causes while ignoring Iran. The author also contrasts the focus on the Gaza conflict with the situation in Iran, claiming the latter involves "the makings of a real genocide" with approximately 12,000 already killed for resisting oppression.
The core accusation is one of hypocrisy and a selective moral compass. "All this proves is how hypocritical they are with no moral compass. Add to that, how phoney they are," states an editor's note appended to the letter.
Broader Context in Canada's Discourse
This letter was published alongside other reader submissions touching on Canadian foreign policy. Another letter from Nick Bird of Richmond Hill urges Canada to stand with Greenland against potential bullying, referencing discussions about troop deployments as a signal to international actors.
The publication of these letters occurs within a broader national conversation highlighted by other trending columnists on the site, including pieces critical of a potential national gun buyback program and columns examining former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney's relationship with China under the headline of a "new world order."
The letter from Barrie ultimately serves as a provocative critique from a Canadian reader, demanding that the vocal activism seen on certain global issues be equally applied to the protest movement in Iran, which seeks to end the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
