Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Discover the raw truth about life under Iran's oppressive regime in this powerful interview with Hamid Ran, author of "Before the West" and former Iranian journalist who fled as a political refugee.
Host Steve Nemerovski sits down with Hamid to explore daily struggles in Iran — from skyrocketing inflation and internet blackouts to brutal crackdowns on protests. Hear firsthand accounts of imprisonment for drinking tea during Ramadan, the dangers of reading banned books, and the high price of speaking truth as a journalist covering women's rights, unions, and social injustice.
Hamid shares his courageous journey: choosing to leave everything behind or face death, navigating the challenging refugee process, and rebuilding his life in America.
A moving story of resilience, hope, and gratitude for freedom. Perfect for anyone interested in human rights, Iran news, or inspiring refugee stories.
Buy the book: Before the West by Hamid Ran
Change Your Mind. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
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Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
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#Iran, #IranProtests, #BeforeTheWest, #HamidRan, #IranianRefugee, #LifeInIran, #IranRegime, #FreedomOfSpeech, #PoliticalRefugee, #HumanRights, #ComeToThinkOfIt, #IranWar, #Memoir, #JournalistStory, #MiddleEast
Discover the raw truth about life under Iran's oppressive regime in this powerful interview with Hamid Ran, author of "Before the West" and former Iranian journalist who fled as a political refugee.
Host Steve Nemerovski sits down with Hamid to explore daily struggles in Iran — from skyrocketing inflation and internet blackouts to brutal crackdowns on protests. Hear firsthand accounts of imprisonment for drinking tea during Ramadan, the dangers of reading banned books, and the high price of speaking truth as a journalist covering women's rights, unions, and social injustice.
Hamid shares his courageous journey: choosing to leave everything behind or face death, navigating the challenging refugee process, and rebuilding his life in America.
A moving story of resilience, hope, and gratitude for freedom. Perfect for anyone interested in human rights, Iran news, or inspiring refugee stories.
Buy the book: Before the West by Hamid Ran
Change Your Mind. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
#Iran, #IranProtests, #BeforeTheWest, #HamidRan, #IranianRefugee, #LifeInIran, #IranRegime, #FreedomOfSpeech, #PoliticalRefugee, #HumanRights, #ComeToThinkOfIt, #IranWar, #Memoir, #JournalistStory, #MiddleEast
