On the 1st of September 2023, the United States lost a political titan, Governor Bill Richardson. He was 75. Renowned as a steadfast supporter of the Iranian Resistance, his passing marks the end of an era of a dedicated champion of democratic values at home and abroad. 

 

Born in 1947 in California to a family of Hispanic heritage, William Blaine Richardson III’s life journey is nothing short of remarkable. New Mexico, the state which he led as governor for eight significant years, saw one of its most groundbreaking reforms under his leadership—the abolishment of the death penalty in March 2009. But his service to the nation wasn’t confined to state borders. For 14 years, Richardson was a forceful voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, fiercely representing New Mexico’s interests.

His national influence reached its zenith during President Clinton’s tenure when he took on pivotal roles—initially as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later, as the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Though his 2008 presidential bid did not result in nomination, it solidified his position as a luminary in American politics, gaining admiration from both sides of the aisle.

 

 

In a revealing 2017 CNN interview, Richardson took a brave stance, reflecting on a crucial point in American history. He candidly addressed the United States’ flawed foreign policy towards Iran, saying, “One of the biggest mistakes we’ve ever made is supporting the Shah of Iran. We’re still paying for it because we didn’t ally with the more democratic forces at that time.”

But perhaps, his most impassioned role was that of a stalwart defender of the Iranian Resistance. In meetings and gatherings, Richardson’s voice consistently rang out against the tyrannical Iranian regime and its proxies. In times when the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) battled existential threats in Iraq, he stood unwaveringly, safeguarding the rights of MEK members in Ashraf City and Camp Liberty.

 

 

 

 

Richardson’s bond with the Iranian freedom movement was profound. His encounters with world leaders gave him a unique perspective, and he often expressed admiration for the Resistance’s commitment to democratic ideals. He was particularly moved by the selflessness he saw, remarking, “I believe the discussion has taken place that this is a movement that doesn’t want money. It simply wants to be allowed to move and to engage in democratic work.”

At a gathering in Villepinte near Paris in 2018, he emphatically asserted the importance of the Iranian Resistance, stating, “You are the source of change in Iran. I want to tell you that many people wonder if there is an alternative to the clerical dictatorship, and the answer is yes.”

 

 

Governor Bill Richardson’s legacy is multifaceted, but his unwavering support for freedom and democracy, both in the U.S. and abroad, will long be remembered.

 

 

 

---

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu