Iranians Gather in Berlin to Call for a Free and Democratic Iran.
Iranians Gather in Berlin to Call for a Free and Democratic Iran
Thousands of Iranians from across Europe gathered in Berlin on Sunday 21st June for the “March to Freedom 2025,” a heartfelt gathering to demand freedom and democracy for Iran. Held one day after the 44th anniversary of the June 20, 1981, demonstration in Tehran—where half a million people, organized by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), peacefully protested the Khomeini regime’s oppression, only to face deadly violence from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—this rally was organized by a coalition of democratic groups opposed to both monarchy and theocratic rule, united in their hope for an Iran free from dictatorship.
A Gathering of Many Voices
The Berlin rally reflected Iran’s diverse society, with people of all ages, ethnicities, and faiths standing together. Kurds, Baluchis, Azerbaijanis, and others from the Iranian diaspora showcased the country’s rich cultural and religious diversity. Families, students, and workers waved Iran’s tricolor flags with the Lion and Sun emblem, held up yellow banners with slogans like “The main war is the struggle of the Iranian people and Resistance against the Velayat-e Faqih and religious dictatorship” and “The solution to war and crisis is regime change by the people and Resistance of Iran,” and carried signs reading, “Down with the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader.” These symbols expressed their shared wish for a future where all are equal, free from tyranny.
Maryam Rajavi’s Message of Unity
The demonstrators found inspiration in Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), who spoke of a clear path forward: “The Iranian people’s resistance for freedom must be recognized. We say no to appeasement and saving the mullahs’ regime, and no to war.” She emphasized, “Democratic change is the desire of the Iranian people.” Rajavi described a 44-year struggle: “Today, we are on the verge of a major change. Not a change that comes by itself or without cost, but a change through organized resistance. With maximum sacrifice in the real battle — the battle between the Iranian people and the religious dictatorship of the Velayat-e Faqih.” Her words gave the crowd purpose, seeking not power but a chance to live in a country where people’s voices matter, rooted in a “Third Option” of change led by Iranians themselves
