More than 100,000 supporters of the Iranian Resistance and freedom-loving Iranians are set to gather at Place Vauban in Paris on June 20, 2026. One of the largest Iranian rallies ever held in Europe, the monumental gathering has two key messages: condemning the escalating wave of political executions in Iran and demanding a democratic, secular republic.
The demonstration coincides with the 45th anniversary of the beginning of Iran’s nationwide resistance against the ruling theocracy. Inside Iran, this day is remembered as the Day of Martyrs and Political Prisoners, marking a profound historical milestone that continues to shape the trajectory of the Iranian people’s ongoing struggle for freedom.
11 Days to go 100,000 Free Iran Rally
14:00 CEST – Place Vauban, Paris 7 – June 20, 2026 #100KFreeIranRally🛑Stop Executions In Iran
⛔️No to Shah No to Mullahs
✅Yes to a Democratic Republic pic.twitter.com/C6z10JmN2i— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) June 8, 2026
The historical context: The roots of the resistance
The history of a nation is defined by decisive moments that alter its future. June 20, 1981, is one of these irreversible turning points in Iran’s contemporary history. On that day, the despotic clerical regime fully unmasked itself by opening fire on a peaceful, massive demonstration in Tehran. Hundreds were killed in the streets, and thousands more were arrested and swiftly sent to the firing squads. This initiated an era of absolute repression that destroyed the democratic achievements gained following the 1979 revolution.
At the time, the Iranian Resistance correctly identified the true nature of the new regime. It became clear that this regime is a profound threat to the survival and freedom of the Iranian nation. June 20, 1981, drew a thick line between capitulation and resistance, proving that any compromise with the ruling clerics would only empower them to continue their brutal suppression.
The Iranian Resistance made it clear back then that the only path to freedom was the overthrow of the regime and the establishment of a democratic republic. This led to the founding of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the longest-standing and most organized opposition movement and alternative to the mullahs’ regime.
A fragile regime relying on executions
Today, the 2026 rally takes place as the regime finds itself unprecedentedly weak and vulnerable. Following the massive nationwide uprising in January 2026 that brought the ruling clerics to the brink of overthrow, the state is deeply terrified of popular outrage. Even with Khamenei’s son installed after the dictator’s death on February 28, the Velayat-e Faqih system possesses absolutely no capacity for reform. To prevent another revolt, the regime has kept its repressive forces deployed in the streets and has resorted to a horrific surge in executions.
Exploiting recent wartime conditions, the regime has systematically executed political prisoners. Recently, eight members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and over 20 young people involved in the January uprising were executed. Furthermore, the chief of the regime’s State Security Force admitted that 6,500 people have been arrested, noting that 567 of them were connected to the PMOI. This brutal crackdown is a desperate attempt to hide the regime’s fear of imminent collapse.
The only solution: Regime change through organized resistance
With the regime’s downfall on the horizon, the Iranian people have made it clear that they reject any return to past dictatorships. The central slogan of the uprising and the Paris rally is “No to Shah, No to Mullahs.”
The regime has frequently tried to promote a fabricated alternative centered on the remnants of the monarchical dictatorship. However, this fascist alternative only divided the people during the 2022 and 2026 uprisings, aiding the regime’s survival.
The true path to freedom lies in Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s “Third Option”—a democratic transformation led by the Iranian people and their organized resistance, free from foreign intervention or appeasement.
This Resistance has deep roots in Iran and is able to carry out concrete actions on the ground. The Resistance Units have proven their operational capacity on the ground. During the January uprising, they executed 630 operations to defend unarmed protesters. On February 23, 2026, 250 PMOI fighters launched a daring assault on Khamenei’s heavily guarded headquarters.
To facilitate a democratic transition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) announced a provisional government on February 28, 2026. Grounded in Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, it promises the separation of religion and state, complete gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, and the establishment of a pluralistic republic.
The Paris rally as the true voice of Iran
The massive turnout expected in Paris is far more than a memorial; it is a powerful global call for solidarity and a reflection of the Iranian people’s vibrant fight for freedom. Lawmakers, human rights advocates, and political figures from across the globe will join this historic march to amplify the voices of the Iranian people.
The June 20 rally represents a pledge with those who never surrendered. It echoes the voices of the martyrs of the 1980s, the victims of the 1988 massacre, and the brave protesters of recent years. Ultimately, it proves that the resistance movement born out of the bloodshed of June 20, 1981, is the only legitimate force capable of realizing the dream of a free, democratic, and just Iran.