From London to Berlin: The World Stands With Iran's Freedom Movement
As regime forces massacre civilians, tens of thousands rally across Europe and the world. The Iranian diaspora and their allies send a powerful message: we see you, we stand with you.
From London to Berlin, from Vancouver to Sydney, the Iranian diaspora and their allies are flooding the streets in an unprecedented display of global solidarity. As the regime in Tehran unleashes its security forces against unarmed civilians, the world is responding with a clear message: the Iranian people are not alone in their fight for freedom.
The Moment That Went Viral
On January 10, an act of breathtaking courage captured the world's attention. A lone protester, quickly dubbed "Spiderman" by social media, scaled the facade of the Iranian Embassy in London. With police in pursuit, he tore down the Islamic Republic's flag and raised the historic Lion and Sun banner, the symbol of pre-revolutionary Iran that has become the emblem of the freedom movement.
The video spread like wildfire, amassing over 130 million views and 25,000 retweets. Replies poured in from around the globe. "This man deserves a monument," wrote one commenter. "Spiderman doing what diplomats won't," observed another. The image of that flag change has become an icon of #IranRevolution2026.
Europe Stands Up
The solidarity rallies have been remarkable in their scale and passion. In London alone, more than 30,000 people gathered in central London to support the anti-IRGC protesters. Union Jacks flew alongside the Lion and Sun flags, British citizens standing shoulder to shoulder with their Iranian neighbours.
According to Euronews, Germany has led Europe with an extraordinary 27 solidarity rallies in just ten days. In Berlin, protesters like Azadeh spoke of the desperation driving the uprising: "People are angrier, and they don't care if they get shot now. They just want their freedom, their rights, and their country back."
The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, and Austria have all seen significant demonstrations. In The Hague, crowds gathered at the Malieveld to demand action against the theocratic regime. The message from Europe is unmistakable: the continent that rebuilt itself on human rights after the horrors of the twentieth century will not look away from Iranian suffering.
A Global Movement
The movement extends far beyond Europe. In Vancouver, Toronto, and cities across North America, the Iranian diaspora has mobilised with remarkable coordination. "The fight is global, and it won't stop," declared Sana Ebrahimi, documenting the Vancouver rally. Canada held 19 rallies in just ten days, while the United States saw 23.
Time magazine reported rallies under the banner "Make Iran Great Again" spanning six continents. From Sydney to Stockholm, from Tokyo to Toronto, the message has been consistent: support for the Iranian people's right to determine their own future.
The Horror Inside Iran
The global solidarity comes as harrowing reports emerge from inside Iran. Videos show masked security forces, some not even in official military uniforms, firing into residential homes while chanting loyalty to Supreme Leader Khamenei. "This is an occupied Iran," wrote Hamidreza, documenting the violence.
According to CNN, survivors describe "blood on the streets" as the regime unleashes a brutal crackdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that nearly 3,000 have been killed since the protests began in late December 2025. Other estimates place the death toll far higher, with some human rights organisations citing figures of up to 12,000 or more.
The internet blackout imposed by authorities has made documenting the crackdown difficult, but videos continue to trickle out, often via Starlink connections. "Terrifying scenes from Iran," reported Euronews, noting that "the country is a war zone."
Europe Takes Action
The European Union has not merely watched from the sidelines. As documented in our earlier coverage, the European Parliament took the unprecedented step of banning all Iranian diplomatic staff and representatives from its premises. Fresh sanctions are being prepared, targeting those responsible for the crackdown.
Iran's foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France to complain about the protests, a sign of just how much pressure the solidarity movement is applying. But European governments have held firm, with many calling for the IRGC to be designated a terrorist organisation.
The contrast with the regime's violence could not be starker. While Tehran fires on its own citizens, European cities have welcomed the peaceful demonstrations of the Iranian diaspora. One observer at the London protests noted how demonstrators cleaned up after themselves, a testament to the values of the movement they represent.
What Comes Next
The protests inside Iran show no sign of abating despite the regime's attempts at intimidation. Al Jazeera reports that authorities are "just getting started" on punishing those arrested, a chilling threat that has only strengthened international resolve.
For Europeans, the question is no longer whether to support the Iranian people, but how. The EU's diplomatic ban and sanctions preparation represent concrete action, but activists are calling for more: the complete designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, the closure of regime-linked institutions across Europe, and direct support for Iranian civil society.
As one Berlin protester, Farshad Doustipour, put it: "We are here today to show our solidarity with the Iranian people, and because of this mass murder by the Iranian government." In city squares across Europe and the world, that message echoes: the Iranian people's struggle for freedom is humanity's struggle. And humanity is watching.
January 21, 2026