Huge LA Demonstration Calls for Global Action Against Iran’s Ruling Regime

A large crowd packed the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday for a “Global Day of Action” rally, backing the Iranian public’s struggle for freedom and human rights.

Large banners were laid out across Grant Park, including one declaring “Reza Pahlavi is our choice.” Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted Shah, is backed by many Iranians who want him to replace the current regime, which protesters say has killed tens of thousands since December. Another oversized display featured President Donald Trump with the message: “We are locked and loaded. Help is on its way.”

Crowds began to gather around City Hall at 1 p.m., and by late afternoon the turnout remained substantial, with demonstrators maintaining a peaceful rally.

Participants called for an immediate halt to violence in Iran and demanded the removal of the ruling regime.

“Today is a national day of action, as you’ve seen, all around the world… there’s been heaps of people coming out to protest against a regime that is, for all terms and purposes, for the people of Iran, illegitimate,” protester Sara Seyed told ABC. She added that her message to Trump and top U.S. political figures such as Senator Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner would be: “What do you stand to gain from negotiating with a regime that is, by all means, illegitimate? What is there to gain for the betterment of the Iranian people since they don’t have a representative at the table? What is there to gain for the United States peace and security and the world?” Seyed emphasized that the current government “has, by all means, operated in its entirety as a terrorist state. It shoots and kills unarmed civilians who are protesting their basic rights.”

Seyed went on to say, “We’re frustrated because we had President Trump’s promise. He said to my people that he will be there for my defenseless people. We have reached the point where we need immediate and strategic help. No patriotic human being wants an all-out war. But there are so many strategies to completely annihilate the arteries and the lifelines of this regime that has invested in proxies and militias and destruction all around the world.”

Tens of thousands of Iranian protestors were killed by regime forces, with some human rights groups estimating the death toll to be over 35,000.