Prince Reza Pahlavi’s Call for ‘Global Day of Action’ and His Appeal for Worldwide Presence
Prince Reza Pahlavi, with a call for a “Global Day of Action,” has invited Iranians abroad and freedom seekers around the world to practical solidarity with the Iranian revolution.
Iran finds itself at one of the most sensitive and consequential moments in its contemporary history. Simultaneous political, economic, social, and legitimacy crises have brought the structure of the Islamic Republic to a fragile and exhausted state. The brutal suppression of popular protests, the spread of poverty, international isolation, and the government’s inability to respond to the most basic demands of citizens have created a deep rift between those in power and the nation; a rift that can no longer be bridged by tools of violence and censorship.
In such circumstances, popular protests (however scattered and costly) continue and demonstrate that Iranian society has moved beyond the phase of “fear” and entered a phase of open demands. Internet shutdowns, widespread arrests, severe judicial sentences, and the naked use of suppressive forces have not only failed to silence society, but have deepened public anger.
In this inflamed context, the role of Iranians abroad and organized international pressure appears more decisive than ever before.
In this direction, Prince Reza Pahlavi, by issuing an official call, has declared February 14 (Bahman 25) as a “Global Day of Action” in solidarity with the Iranian revolution and has called upon Iranians abroad and freedom seekers worldwide to take to the streets and compel governments and international bodies to take immediate practical action in support of the Iranian people.
In his message, he addressed Iranians across the world:
“Noble Iranians abroad and freedom seekers of the world,
February 14 (Bahman 25) is a “Global Day of Action” in solidarity with Iran’s glorious revolution; a day to take to the streets to compel the international community to take immediate practical action in support of the Iranian people.
Our six clear demands are as follows:
- Dismantling the regime’s repressive apparatus and protecting the Iranian people
- Complete cessation of the regime’s financial resources
- Freedom of internet and communications for the Iranian people
- Expulsion of the regime’s diplomats and prosecution of criminals
- Immediate release of all political prisoners
- Readiness to recognize a legitimate transitional government for Iran’s transition to democracy
Munich, Los Angeles, and Toronto are the main gathering centers. If you are unable to travel, take to the streets in your city and be the voice of Iran.
The Islamic Republic, occupier of Iran, has attempted through massacre and savage violence to break the will of our people, but has failed. These rootless terrorists, foreign to Iran, have shed the blood of tens of thousands of courageous Iranians for survival, and have cut off the internet to hide their crimes. Nevertheless, the Iranian people continue to stand against bullets and cry out for freedom and patriotism. The era of fear has ended; the era of freedom is near. Iranians have risen.
I ask of you who live in freedom to rise on Saturday, February 14, in solidarity with the Iranian people. Your solidarity matters. When we are united, governments are forced to listen. History will remember kindly those who stand with the Iranian people.
Long live freedom! Eternal be Iran! Victorious be Iran’s glorious revolution!”
This call is an effort to move beyond the phase of symbolic protests and toward targeted international pressure; pressure that can contain the Islamic Republic’s repressive machinery and pave the way for a transition to democracy. The emphasis on demands such as the release of political prisoners, cutting off the government’s financial sources, and recognizing a transitional government indicates that Iran’s freedom movement has entered a more political and structured phase.
At a time when the Iranian government continues to beat the drums of repression, the “Global Day of Action” can serve as an important test to measure the extent of global solidarity with the Iranian people and the willingness of governments to stand on the right side of history.
