In recent weeks, courageous Iranians have been writing, tweeting, text-messaging and telephoning the outside world with an almost universal message: Please bear witness, please stand with us. One Iranian demonstrator e-mailed me: "Where are the American actors, the writers, the university professors, the intellectuals?" I would add to this patriot's list: Where are the labor unions, teachers unions, science academies, university students and ordinary Americans from all walks of life who took to U.S. streets last year to back an unlikely presidential candidate whose motto of hope and change is mirrored by Iranians half a world away? The key difference between them? Iranians are facing guns and violence as they wage their struggle for a democratic future.

While Americans should be at the fore, standing up for democracy, it's not just here that this question should stir a response. Civil society around the globe has an opportunity to demonstrate the kind of justifiable fervor displayed, for example, when people in other nations opposed the war in Iraq during the Bush years. Supporters of democracy worldwide should be standing with the Iranian people as they struggle for justice and freedom. The simple message of one Iranian demonstrator on Twitter last month still brings a chill: "I have one vote. I gave it to Mousavi. I have one life. I will give it to freedom."

We may split on what Obama should say or do, fearing the effects for the protesters or our nation, but that should not stop Americans from demonstrating solidarity. Last month I attended a candlelight vigil to honor those who died fighting for freedom. The gathering was somber yet hopeful, but it was still too narrowly Iranian. We need more Americans — African Americans, Asian Americans, conservative Americans, liberal Americans, red-state Americans, blue-state Americans. If there is one issue that politically polarized America ought to be able to rally around, it is the gallant struggle of Iranians.

Before the voting, Mir Hossein Mousavi was, to many, an "anybody but Ahmadinejad" candidate. Now, he is a symbol of hope but also a man who is being driven by the crowds as much as he is driving them. "This is not about Mousavi," he said last month. "This is about you."

Barack Obama rode a similar wave, telling his supporters, "This is about you and what you can do to change America."

Iranians are pushing to change Iran and to taste freedom. It is an authentic struggle shaped by Iran's history. There is only one right side, and that is with the Iranian people.

At a reception in Washington last month, a technology executive approached me and pointed to his green tie. He said: "This is for the Iranian people." As the regime in Tehran tightens its grip, I hope to see more support from ordinary Americans, and from civil society around the globe, bearing witness, demonstrating solidarity and displaying the common humanity, decency and fairness that bind us all.

Afshin Molavi, a former Post correspondent in Tehran, is a fellow at the New America Foundation and the author of "The Soul of Iran: A Nation's Journey to Freedom."