The Echo of the Iranian People’s Cry for Freedom in the Heart of London; Solidarity with the Nationwide Uprising

Gathering of Iranians Residing in London, Organized by the Academics in Exile Association, in Support of the Iran Uprising

London – Saturday, January 3, 2026 (Dey 13, 1404):On the seventh day of the nationwide uprising of the Iranian people—now spread to more than 70 cities across 25 provinces—hundreds of freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the resistance gathered in a passionate demonstration in London to carry the voice of protesters inside Iran to the world. This demonstration took place as, according to confirmed reports, the Iranian regime has killed at least 10 protesters through direct gunfire, including a 15-year-old teenager named Mostafa in Azna.

At the rally, messages from members of Parliament were delivered, including a statement by Matthew Freeman, Chief of Staff to Bob Blackman MP (a prominent member of the British Parliament and Chair of the British Committee for a Free Iran), conveying the message of Bob Blackman and the British Committee for a Free Iran to the demonstrators. In his message, Bob Blackman stressed that the current uprising goes beyond economic grievances and targets the entire structure of the ruling Velayat-e Faqih system. He called on the UK government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, recognize the Iranian youth’s right to legitimate self-defense, and sanction and hold accountable figures of repression such as Ahmad Vahidi.

Ms. Azadeh Zabeti, Chair of the Iranian Lawyers Committee in the UK, delivered a well-argued speech addressing the legal dimensions of the repression. While condemning the brutal attacks on women’s dormitories and the abduction of students, she emphasized that these actions reflect the regime’s fear of women’s leading role in this revolution. Zabeti also underlined the need for international accountability for the killing of protesters in cities such as Lordegan, Fooladshahr, and Azna.

The next speaker was Roger Lyons, former leader of a UK trade union, who, citing briefing reports, emphasized that the spark of this uprising was ignited by the collapse of the rial and 72 percent inflation in food prices. However, these livelihood-based demands quickly transformed into a political demand for the overthrow of the entire regime.

• Scope of the uprising: He noted that, contrary to the regime’s claims, the uprising has spread to at least 44 cities in 19 provinces, and the authorities’ plan to contain the protests during the holiday period has failed.

• Solidarity with the Resistance Units: He referred to the resilience of young protesters in the face of direct gunfire by regime mercenaries, stating that the killing of eight protesters, including a 15-year-old in Azna, is evidence of the regime’s brutality and, at the same time, the firm determination of the Iranian people.

Roger Lyons, former leader of the UK Trades Union Congress, also expressed solidarity with the Resistance Units. He pointed to the perseverance of rebellious youth confronting direct gunfire by regime agents and described the killing of nine protesters, including a 15-year-old in Azna, as proof of the regime’s savagery and the unwavering resolve of the Iranian nation.

Representatives of Iranian communities also spoke at the demonstration. In addition to Ms. Azadeh Zabeti, Chair of the Iranian Lawyers Committee in the UK, Dr. Omid Ebrahimi and Leila Jazayeri, Chair of the Iranian Women’s Association in the UK, delivered speeches.

The speakers emphasized the expansion of the uprising to cities such as Mashhad, Shiraz, and Kermanshah, as well as the courage of the “Resistance Units” in attacking centers of repression.

They also highlighted the political maturity of the Iranian people, stating that the slogan “Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Supreme Leader” reflects the genuine demand of the people for the establishment of a democratic, pluralistic republic with the separation of religion and state.

The speakers called on the UK government to recognize the “legitimate right to self-defense” of Iranian youth in the face of bloody repression, and to sanction and hold accountable those responsible for the killings, including Ahmad Vahidi.

#NeitherShahNorSheikh#DeathToTheOppressorWhetherShahOrLeader