'We Will All Rebuild': Famous Iranians from Ebi to Reza Pahlavi Sign Joint Statement Backing Iran Protests

September 28, 2022

3 min read

Dozens of famous Iranians have weighed in in recent days in support of the pro-democracy movement in Iran

Twenty-two well-known Iranian public figures, including the former crown prince Reza Pahlavi and famous singer Ebi, have expressed their support for the recent protests taking place in Iran in a statement entitled “Women's Revolution, Life, Freedom."

The statement highlights the "powerful and nationwide movement of brave Iranian women and young people” protesting the murder of Mahsa Amini. It read: “This national movement has challenged the entire ruling system and has the potential to overthrow it.”

Among the other signatories were women’s rights activist Mahnaz Afkhami, opposition politician Hassan Shariatmadari, and singer Faramarz Aslani.

The signatories said: "To show their support for the revolution, different classes and groups across society - from teachers to workers, from professionals to students, from truck drivers to bus drivers - are all preparing to go on strike. This will allow the Iranian nation to prevail and pave the way for a free, secular, and democratic Iran.”

"At this stage, we support the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association in calling for a strike, and request that parents stop sending their children to school.”

“Iran is home to all Iranians and it will be rebuilt by all of us. The time has come to join hands to save Iran, its culture and civilization."

The statement, provided to IranWire for publication, can be read in full below.

In Support of the "Women, Life, Freedom" Revolution

The powerful and nationwide movement of brave Iranian women and young people protesting the murder of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini has made its way to the streets of Iran and shaken the foundations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This national movement has challenged the entire ruling system and has the potential to overthrow it.

To show their support for the revolution, different classes and groups across society - from teachers to workers, from professionals to students, from truck drivers to bus drivers - are all preparing to go on strike. This will allow the Iranian nation to prevail and pave the way for a free, secular, and democratic Iran. The song of this great change, and the transition away from the rule of the Islamic Republic, can be heard in every corner of our beloved country and around the world.

To support this movement more effectively, we need to coordinate between different groups so that protests and nationwide strikes can continue, as well as non-cooperation with the government. The signatories of this statement have taken the first step and are hoping to attract global support for the revolution while coordinating with those directly involved in the movement.

At this stage, we support the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association in calling for a strike, and request that parents stop sending their children to school.

Nationwide strikes will be announced on Wednesday, September 28, and further details will be announced following that. We hope that all Iranian trade unions, and other political, social and cultural organizations, will take part in these strikes.

During the day, we will stop working, and at night, we will continue to protest in the streets, on rooftops, in cars and on foot.

Iran is home to all Iranians and it will be re-built by all of us. The time has come to join hands to save Iran, its culture and civilization.

We invite all organizations and political groups, individuals and civil organizations to join this national movement which has been sparked by recent events.

In memory of Zhina Amini, daughter of Kurdistan and daughter of Iran.

And the blood of the dead on the way to freedom.

Long live Iran.

List of signatories:

Touraj Atabaki

Fereydoun Ahmadi

Faramarz Aslani

Mahnaz Afkhami

Nazanin Ansari

Shahin Baratpour

Mehran Barati

Morteza Barjesteh (Morteza)