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Prominent Iranian pro-democracy advocate Keyvan Samimi, who has been imprisoned numerous times for his political activism, has shared his thoughts on voting in the upcoming runoff presidential election after boycotting the first round. Here are some key excerpts from his statement: -"One year ago, I was arrested for participating in the 'To Save Iran' dialogue conference, but I believe that no amount of pressure or cost should deter us from demanding our rights." -"Now, I propose joining the 'To Save Iran' campaign because saving Iran is a process and should not be expected to be achieved through a few sporadic actions or occasional uprisings." -"I believe that continuous activism strengthens civil society and gradually leads to structural changes." -"At present, one immediate action, which is at least a step forward, is to vote for a representative of the reformist discourse." -"I am aware of your anger, sorrow, and despair following the successive repressions by the tyrants. I know that both your abstention from voting and your participation were for the sake of Iran, so let’s not destroy each other, as this would benefit tyranny. Let’s engage in dialogue because both sides desire democracy." -"You expect me to resist authoritarianism, and you are right, but in my view, based on a specific analysis of specific conditions, voting for the discourse against authoritarianism is a continuation of resistance." -"Currently, I see resistance as standing against totalitarians who view the people as trash, have no fear of protracted war, disrespect our daughters with force and moral police, perceive the economy as resistance in a cage, prefer national and ultimately Chinese internet, call sanctions a blessing, suppress civil society, do not accept the new generation, and do not recognize the diversity of beliefs and lifestyles." -"In short, the rise of Jalili and his associates will strengthen Shia Talibanism, weaken and exhaust society, increase external tensions and sanctions, and destroy the half-living civil society." -Pezeshkian and reformists "engage with all Iranians, adhere to freedom and justice within the limits of ministerial and governmental powers, and even if they cannot resist some radical and unjust actions of the totalitarians, they at least obstruct and hinder them." -"The possibility of reducing tensions and sanctions is greater with them in government, they can facilitate economic improvement and empower society with the help of the majority of experts, and the conditions for activism and demand-making are much more favorable in their government than with their totalitarian rival." -"Remember, the weaker the society becomes, the less we can take advantage of opportunities and chances for improvement, change, and transformation, and we will lose future opportunities for Iran." -"Therefore, I will vote: To improve daily life; To increase the capacity for transformation; To thwart the totalitarians; And to open the way for activism." -"Whatever the cost, I will pay it, from spending my personal reputation to future imprisonments. We will not stop our activism and pursuit of the demands of the Iranian social movement, including labor protests, workers' strikes, the civil uprising of Women, Life, Freedom, and other rights movements." -"Now, I invite you, dear friends and esteemed ones, to join the 'Vote to Save Iran' campaign." Link to his full statement in Persian: https://t.co/w4ABW9v9lY