More than a week into the war in Iran, with ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting sites in and around the capital, members of Montreal’s Iranian community gathered in solidarity.
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A rally at the Atwater metro station brought people together under the message “United standing until freedom,” as many followed the escalating conflict from thousands of kilometres away.
The demonstration reflects the strong emotions the war is stirring among Montrealers with ties to Iran. Protestors gathered downtown waving Iranian flags and holding signs.
Organizer Ayrik Armani said the weekly demonstrations are meant to amplify the voices of people in Iran.
“From the first week, we have been here to be the voice of Iran,” said Armani, a rally organizer.
Some attendees said they have been showing up regularly to demonstrate their support.
“We are every week here to support our country,” said rally attendee Mahbod Nazeri.
Others said they believe international action could lead to political change in Iran.
“We are here to send a message that this military aide that was long asked by people to be there, to support the Iranian people, is for the regime change. And the whole entire Islamic Republic needs to be dismantled if we want to have a real peace in Middle East and across the globe,” said Abolfazl Kamali, another rally attendee.
Organizers also spoke about the emotions they say many Iranians are experiencing as the conflict unfolds.
“This is something that not many nations have gone through. This feeling, it’s something else. Like many Canadians, many Americans, not only people can experience this in their life, but we are going through this. We are here. We are there in our country. Somewhere gets bombed. And we’re happy about it. Just imagine how desperate we are right now in Iran. And we are trying to be the voice of people right now,” Armani said.
For many at the rally, the situation is also personal, with friends and family still living in Iran.
Nazeri said he remains in close contact with relatives there.
“Yesterday when my mom called me to say, ‘if you heard something from the news that they are attacking our city, don’t worry, we are okay’, you know? Because we are patriots, for us humanity and the country is more important than our life. So we like to do this fight to have a better future for our country and our people,” he said.
Kamali also said he speaks regularly with family and friends in Iran and described the mixed emotions they are experiencing as the conflict continues.
“I do have friends and family in Iran. Whenever I call them and I talk to them, they all up absolutely. There are explosions, there are bombs and people are scared. But at the same time, they’re all happy that this is happening,” he said.
Organizers say they plan to continue gathering in Montreal as the situation in Iran evolves, hoping to keep attention on the conflict and its impact on people in the country.
