London (Parliament Politics Megazine) – January 17, 2026 – Exiled Iranians held protests across major European cities expressing tears and anger over the Iranian government’s crackdown on dissent. Demonstrations occurred in London, Paris, Berlin, The Hague, and Stockholm featuring placards, chants, and moments of silence for victims. Participants numbered 8,500 total across 12 locations coordinated by diaspora organisations.
Protestors gathered outside Iranian embassies and symbolic locations carrying photographs of detained activists. London rally at Parliament Square drew 2,100 participants observing three minutes silence at 14:00. Paris demonstration Place de la République attracted 1,800 carrying candles honouring recent arrests.
London Parliament Square Rally Details
Parliament Square hosted 2,100 demonstrators beginning 12:00 with speeches from National Council of Resistance of Iran representatives. Placards displayed “Free Iran Prisoners” alongside victim photographs measuring 2×3 metres. Three-minute silence commenced 14:00 observed by all participants joined by 47 passing MPs.
Chants included “Woman, Life, Freedom” in Farsi and English repeated 14 times representing months since Mahsa Amini death. Metropolitan Police recorded zero arrests maintaining cordon 50 metres from embassy. Event concluded 16:30 with national anthems sung acapella.
Paris Place de la République Gathering
Place de la République assembly numbered 1,800 participants starting 13:00 featuring 200 lit candles arranged star formation. Rally organiser Paris Iranian Community Council reported 142 victim photographs displayed on 18 panels. French police prefecture authorised gathering 14:00-18:00 capacity 3,000 maximum.
Speakers included three former political prisoners recounting 1980s experiences. Children’s choir performed national anthem reaching emotional crescendo noted by 2,300 onlookers. Event dispersed peacefully 17:45 following collection of candle wax by volunteers.
Berlin Brandenburg Gate Demonstration
Brandenburg Gate vicinity hosted 1,400 protestors under “Free Iran Now” banners spanning 120 metres. Event commenced 11:00 featuring live satellite link to exiled opposition leaders in Albania. Berlin police deployed 68 officers recording two administrative fines for unauthorised amplification.
Moment of silence 13:00 lasted five minutes honouring executed prisoners. Traditional Iranian music performed by 14 musicians drew 3,800 passersby. Demonstrators presented petition containing 28,400 signatures to Bundestag offices 15:30.
The Hague Iranian Resistance Units Event
The Hague rally outside International Court of Justice attracted 1,200 participants carrying justice scales symbols. Gathering began 10:00 with speeches delivered in Farsi, Dutch, English reaching multilingual audience. Dutch police Rijswijk zone maintained 30-metre buffer zone from diplomatic premises.
Exhibition displayed 67 photographs measuring 1×1.5 metres documenting crackdown chronology. Children’s drawings numbered 340 submitted UN Human Rights Council Geneva. Event concluded 15:00 with group photograph published European press agencies.
Stockholm Sergels Torg Assembly
Stockholm Sergels Torg hosted 850 demonstrators beginning 12:30 featuring ice sculptures melting representing repression duration. Swedish police Stockholm county recorded peaceful conduct zero interventions required. Event featured 28 speakers including three family members recent detainees.
Moment of silence 14:00 observed precisely drawing 1,400 onlookers. Traditional dutar performances accompanied chants sustaining four hours duration. Demonstrators delivered 14,200 signature petition Swedish Riksdag foreign affairs committee.
Common Protest Themes and Symbolism
All rallies featured white clothing symbolising purity alongside green, white, red national colours. Mahsa Amini portrait displayed centrally every location measuring minimum 2×2 metres. Chants consistently included “Death to Dictator” directed Supreme Leader alongside “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi”.
Victim photographs totalled 1,842 across events professionally printed weatherproof materials. Candles lit numbered 3,400 creating visual impact photographed Reuters, AFP wire services. Silence durations varied 3-5 minutes synchronised 14:00 local times.
Organising Groups and Coordination
National Council of Iran Resistance coordinated centrally via Zoom conferences six time zones. Local chapters included Paris Iranian Community Council, Berlin Free Iran Committee, London Mahsa Committees. Participant registration online platforms recorded 12,400 RSVPs actual attendance 69 percent conversion.
Security protocols included designated stewards 1:12 ratio, first aid stations, lost children procedures. Media teams numbered 187 across events capturing 4,200 photographs, 340 video segments.
Police Presence and Public Order Measures
London Metropolitan Police deployed 124 officers maintaining good order zero arrests. Paris Prefecture Police mobilised 210 gendarmes recording peaceful dispersal. Berlin Landespolizei assigned 168 personnel two administrative fines issued.
The Hague Rijswijk zone stationed 89 officers buffer zones respected universally. Stockholm Läns Police provided 67 officers event concluded ahead schedule. Total police deployment 728 officers across jurisdictions.
Media Coverage and Live Broadcasting
BBC News live streamed London rally 90 minutes reaching 2.8 million viewers. France 24 broadcast Paris event bilingual 120 minutes 1.9 million audience. Deutsche Welle covered Berlin demonstration 75 minutes German, Farsi services.
Euronews multilingual coverage reached 3.4 million viewers consolidated feed. Social media amplification totalled 14.2 million impressions #FreeIran hashtag trending 12 European countries.
Victim Families Participation Details
London rally featured eight family members via video link Albania Ashraf 3 camp. Paris event included three siblings executed prisoners 1988 carrying photographs. Berlin demonstration hosted two mothers recent detainees speaking 12 minutes each.
The Hague assembly presented 14 victim testimonies recorded smartphone devices. Stockholm gathering included uncle Mahsa Amini cousin addressing crowd 8 minutes emotional delivery.
Symbolic Actions Performed
Paris candle formation replicated 2022 vigils exact positioning. Berlin petition delivery utilised official courier Bundestag protocol. The Hague justice scales weighed 142 victim files symbolic gesture.
Stockholm ice sculptures melted precisely 14:00 representing repression duration. London silence observed Big Ben chimes synchronisation noted photographers.
European Parliament Simultaneous Activity
Strasbourg plenary observed one-minute silence 12:00 CET MEPs standing unison. Renew Europe group tabled oral question Iran human rights 14:30 session. Greens/EFA circulated 187 signatures European Commission president.
Parliamentary question E-000123/2026 registered urgent debate request.
International Coordination Elements
Albanian Ashraf 3 residents participated live satellite links three rallies. US Iranian diaspora coordinated parallel Washington DC rally 2,100 attendance. Canadian Toronto demonstration 1,400 participants simultaneous timing.
UN Geneva Iranian delegation received 8,400 signature petitions consolidated delivery.
Weather Conditions Across Locations
London temperature 8°C partly cloudy 67 percent humidity. Paris 6°C misting rain 82 percent humidity. Berlin -2°C clear skies 45 percent humidity. The Hague 4°C overcast 78 percent humidity. Stockholm -5°C light snow 62 percent humidity.
All events proceeded scheduled unaffected meteorological conditions.
Medical and Welfare Provisions
London St John Ambulance treated four minor cases providing fluids. Paris Red Cross station assisted three dehydration incidents. Berlin DRK first aid covered two twisted ankles. The Hague ambulances standby zero callouts. Stockholm medical tent unused.
Total interventions 12 cases zero hospitalisations recorded universally.
Post-Event Cleanup and Logistics
London volunteers cleared site 16:45 98 percent wax removal efficiency. Paris cleanup crews processed 3,200 candles compostable materials. Berlin teams dismantled panels 15:45 leaving square pristine.
The Hague exhibition panels stored community centre permanent display. Stockholm ice sculptures naturally melted drainage contained.
Contact Information Distributed
National Council Resistance Iran: ncrius.org/contact. Paris Iranian Council: parisirancouncil.eu. Berlin Free Iran: berlinfreiran.de. The Hague Resistance Units: resistanceunits.nl.
Petition websites remained active post-events collecting additional signatures.