Around 250,000 people gathered in Munich on Saturday to protest against Iran’s government, police reported. The demonstration coincided with a global security conference in Germany and followed a call by Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for increased international pressure on Tehran.
Participants banged drums and chanted slogans demanding regime change. Pahlavi described the event as part of a “global day of action” supporting Iranians after deadly nationwide protests. He also encouraged similar rallies in Los Angeles and Toronto. Police noted that the turnout exceeded organizers’ expectations.
Chants and Symbols Call for Change
The crowd repeatedly shouted, “Change, change, regime change”, waving green, white, and red flags featuring the lion and sun emblem used before Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Many demonstrators carried placards featuring Pahlavi, some labeling him as king. The exiled prince, who has lived outside Iran for nearly 50 years, is trying to position himself as part of Iran’s future.
At the rally, Pahlavi warned of further deaths in Iran if democratic nations “stand by and watch” following the government’s violent crackdown last month. He said, “We gather at an hour of profound peril to ask: Will the world stand with the people of Iran? The survival of Iran's government sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and you stay in power.”
Global Participation
The Global Day of Action saw large turnout worldwide. In Toronto, about 350,000 people marched through the streets, police spokesperson Laura Brabant reported. Around 500 protesters also gathered outside the presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, waving banners against Iran’s government and supporting Pahlavi.
At Munich, some demonstrators wore red “Make Iran Great Again” caps, echoing the MAGA caps of U.S. President Donald Trump’s supporters. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham spoke to the crowd while wearing one of the caps. Drums and cymbals punctuated chants of “Pahlavi for Iran” and “Democracy for Iran”.
Voices from Inside Iran
Protesters highlighted the plight of people inside Iran facing repression. Daniyal Mohtashamian, who traveled from Zurich, Switzerland, said, “We have huge hopes and (are) looking forward that the regime is going to change hopefully. There is an internet blackout, and their voices are not going outside of Iran.”
Death Toll from Protests
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that last month’s protests killed at least 7,005 people, including 214 government forces. Iran’s official toll was 3,117, announced on January 21. Past unrest has often been underreported by Iranian authorities. Independent verification is difficult due to internet disruptions and blocked international calls.
International Pressure on Iran
Iranian leaders are also under pressure from former U.S. President Trump, who has threatened military action and wants Iran to scale back its nuclear program. He suggested that regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Protests in Munich continued on Friday, the opening day of the city’s annual security conference, where European and global security leaders gathered. Supporters of the Iranian opposition group, People's Mujahedeen Organization of Iran, also demonstrated against the regime.