The Toronto Persian community demands a re-vote.

Despite a persistent drizzle, hundreds of Iranian-Canadians gathered tonight outside the Russian Consulate to contest the legitimacy of the recent Iranian election results. They aimed slogans like “Democracy; no Russian hypocrisy,” “Moscow, Ahmadi must go,” and the now-familiar “Where is my vote?” at the consulate at the corner of Bloor and Church streets.

The protest was in response to Russian President Dimitry Medvedev meeting with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday, acknowledging him as Iranian president so soon after the disputed elections. One man, 28, refused to give his name due to safety concerns, but said that the Iranian community is asking Russia and other governments not to recognize Ahmadinejad until there is a re-vote.

“A message of ‘Congratulations’ [from the Russian president] doesn’t help the Iranian people,” he said. “If [Ahmadinejad] is given legitimacy, he can crack down on the people … it’s a very delicate situation.”

Thousands of Iranian-Canadians, including this young man, made the trek up to the Iranian Consulate in Ottawa last week to cast their votes. The Iranian Consulate was the only place in the country where dual citizens could vote, despite large Persian communities in Toronto and Vancouver.

Reza, who didn’t give his last name, took the train up to Ottawa hoping his vote would go towards a change in regime. He expressed doubt that Ayatollah Khamenei’s offer of a re-count would do much to change the current situation in Iran.

“They’re looking for a revote,” Reza said. “It doesn’t matter what they do in terms of recounting”

Reza has family in Iran with whom he keeps in contact as much as possible but he says this is becoming more dangerous. He spoke to his father in Tehran this afternoon before he too headed to a protest.

Lili, who also won’t provide a last name out of safety concerns, hasn’t spoken to her family in Iran in two days. The recent crackdowns on communication, slowing down internet connections to the point of futility, mean she is no longer certain of their safety.

“We can’t get ahold of them so we don’t know what’s going on,” she said.

Lili says she came to the protest with her mother and sister ensure their votes count, as well as to show support for the family in Iran.

“It wasn’t a fair election,that’s why we’re here,” she said. “And also because they’re beating up our families back home.”

Fouad Oveisy is one of the organizers of tonight’s protest. He’s with the organization Multiple Voices for Change and he wants the international community to support the Iranian people.

“What we want is for the international organizations and the governments of the world to the support the movement of people in Iran so people themselves will get their rightful votes back,” Oveisy said. “That’s why we’re protesting in front of the Russian embassy, to let the world hear our voice.”

With files and video from Tom Stoukas.