College campus demonstrations and participation at events by Iranian students to garner support for such demonstrations were commonplace in the lead up to the overthrow of Shah Reza Pahlavi in the 70s, if you'll recall. Such events were presented as moves for freedom.
They were also attended by members of SAVAK, the Iranian Intelligence Service who tracked Iranian students who attended such conventions. Iranians would often wear black ski type masks when they attended such gatherings to prevent retribution.