On January 8, 2020, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 shortly after take off from Tehran.
All 176 passengers and crew were killed, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.
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Now, three years later, everyone involved is still in Saskatoon mourning the loss.
Pooyan Arab of the Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association said, “Three minutes and 42 seconds after the first missile hit, the plane crashed, bringing unimaginable terror and agony to the passengers and crew’s final moments.”
More than 150 people gathered in Saskatoon at the Graduate Student Union with the University of Saskatchewan.
A Saskatoon resident is seen holding a rose during a memorial service for those who lost their lives on Flight 752.
Emily-May Symonds / Global News
Saskatoon West MLA Brad Redekop said, “I’m so pleased to see such a nice cross-section of people here, not only from the Iranian community but from all the different communities in Saskatoon.” “I’m really happy to see everyone here today.”
Saskatoon is one of an estimated 100 cities worldwide, 15 of which are in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined many grieving Canadians in Toronto on Sunday afternoon to call for justice for what happened.
“We are here to demand justice for the victims and their families,” Trudeau said.
“This tragedy was caused by the Iranian regime’s callous disregard for human life. Your refusal to hold them accountable has only added to your misery.
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And while the world is moving on, Arab said it’s important to remember and acknowledge the tragedy each year.
Arab said, “We will never forget and will never forget the crimes of the Islamic Republic.”
And while it was a day to remember, it was also a day to look forward. is calling on the Arab government to list the entirety of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
“We are hoping that you can be the voice of the Iranian people who were murdered on that plane, and pressure our government to act and deliver results,” he said.
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