It is deeply unfortunate that at a time when the Iranian people are courageously fighting for freedom and human rights, some individuals have chosen to spread false and harmful misinformation about Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani’s record and values. These accusations are not only untrue, but they also distract from the urgent and very real struggle for democracy and dignity in Iran. Below is Eskamani’s statement in response:
“Let me be clear: any claim that I am connected to or supportive of the Islamic Republic of Iran is false, offensive, and completely detached from my record and reality.
For more than a decade, I have been outspoken in my support for a free and democratic Iran, one rooted in human rights, equality, and self-determination. In 2010, I served as Vice President of the Iranian Student Organization at the University of Central Florida, where I worked alongside fellow students to celebrate Iranian culture while advocating for democracy, civil liberties, and freedom for the Iranian people. I celebrated the recent death of Iran’s past president and have been active in my support of protests in Iran, too.
Image from 2010 Protest when Rep. Eskamani was a UCF Student
My advocacy has always been centered on people. I have consistently condemned the repression, censorship, and human rights abuses carried out by the Islamic Republic. I stand with the women, students, workers, and families who have bravely protested for dignity and freedom, often at great personal risk. In 2023, I led a resolution in the Florida Legislature to support a Free Iran, which you can watch below and read here.
Any past work I have done with U.S.-based Iranian American organizations has focused entirely on domestic civil rights issues — including opposing discriminatory policies like the Trump administration’s Muslim ban and broader anti-immigrant measures that harmed families, students, and lawful residents here in the United States. That work was about defending constitutional rights and protecting immigrant communities here at home — not supporting any foreign government and especially not the terrorist Islamic Republic of Iran. I also no longer affiliate with any of these organizations, including NIAC, and have not been affiliated for years.
As a public servant, I have also worked to support Iranian students and families in the United States, particularly those seeking to remain safely in this country to escape political repression and instability in Iran. That includes helping students navigate immigration challenges, connecting them with legal resources, and ensuring they are not forced to return to unsafe conditions.
Supporting the people of Iran is not the same as supporting the Iranian government. In fact, it is the opposite. My record is clear: I stand with human rights, democracy, and the Iranian people — not with the regime that suppresses them.
Finally, individuals or entities who continue to knowingly spread defamatory misinformation about me will be met with appropriate action. False statements that damage reputations have consequences under U.S. law. I will not tolerate deliberate efforts to spread lies, and my office is prepared to pursue all appropriate remedies, including cease-and-desist notices where warranted.
Attempts to distort the truth not only harm public discourse. They undermine the very real struggle of those fighting for freedom and dignity in Iran. Let us, as a community, be united in advocacy for justice, democracy, and human rights.”