Leading Iranian activists convened in Riggs Library on February 10, 2023 for a discussion concerning “The Future of Iran’s Democracy Movement,” in an event hosted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

The summit began with recorded statements from Nobel Laureate and renowned Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi, Secretary-General of Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan Abdullah Mohtadi, and actress Goshifteh Farahani, on behalf of herself and Ali Karimi, the former captain of the Iranian national soccer team.

The event additionally featured a discussion with Masih Alinejad, journalist and women’s rights activist; Hamed Esmaeilion, president and spokesman of the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims; Nazanin Boniadi, actress and UK Amnesty International Ambassador; and Reza Pahlavi, former Crown Prince.

The panel marked the first meeting between these leaders since anti-governments protests began in September 2022, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini at the hands of the Iranian Morality Police.

All of the speakers projected messages of unity in the face of the evil that is the Islamic Republic.

“Our lives and people’s youth were wasted, so it’s time to declare… Now it’s not the time for in-fighting and to be at each other’s throat, whether a republic is more suitable or a constitutional monarchy. Don’t forget the message of this revolution: ‘Woman, Life, Freedom,’” said Ebadi.

Nine-year-old Kian Pirfalak, who was shot and killed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is one of the many young victims of the regime’s brutality since protests began. Upon his death, a video of him dedicating a boat he made “in the name of the God of the Rainbow” went viral, and the rainbow has since been embraced as a symbol of the movement.

“To many of us here, that rainbow represents plurality, the type of plurality [Pirfalak] was denied and the people of Iran continue to be denied,” said Boniadi.

Although the message of unity certainly triumphed, the question of what a post-theocratic Iran would look like was an underlying theme. The presence of Pahlavi, who was in line to become Shah prior to the 1979 Revolution, has critical implications.

Many Iranians would like the exiled Pahlavi, a proponent for secular democracy, to assume leadership over the protests and the regime transition. However, Pahlavi’s focus is on garnering maximum international support for protesters, minimum global diplomatic relations with the Iranian regime, and maximum on-the-ground participation by the people of Iran.

“We are not a leadership council; we are going to help to form such a council,” said Pahlavi, emphasizing patience as the transition follows its natural course.

All Iranians have a stake in the demonstrations, as anyone with a yearning for freedom, justice, social justice, and environmental justice has a role in the revolution, according to Esmaeilion.

“[The regime] is dead in the heart of the people,” said Aljinehad.

The following day, to mark the 44th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in a rally organized by the National Solidary Group of Iran (NSG Iran) to vocalize their objections to the Islamic Republic.

Although the group typically focuses on demonstrations in D.C., people from Chicago, New York City, Nashville, Houston, Atlanta, and other cities across the U.S. traveled hundreds of miles to join the movement.

The event was headlined by many prominent Iranian activists, including Aljinehad, Boniadi, and Esmaeilion, who were among the panelists at the Georgetown event and have devoted their lives to Iranian freedom. Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, singer Faramarz Aslani, NSG Iran advisory board member Amir Hossein Ganjbakhsh, pop star Googoosh, singer Shanin Najafi, wrestler Sardar Pashaei, and American activist Chelsea Hart also spoke.

One family at the rally originally hailed from Iran, but, like many others, left after the 1979 Revolution. Unfortunately, leaving Iran also meant leaving behind loved ones.

“I want for my relatives, for my friends, for all the ones who have to live there… a better life,” a member of the family shared.

Sentiments from the panel at Georgetown the day before were echoed in their hopes for what a better life in Iran would be.

“[The Georgetown event] was a great program. It was all about unity. That’s what we want—all the powers to unite against the regime. We want the Mullahs to go away. We want a secular Iran. We want democracy for Iran, whatever that may mean…” the family said.

The family were not the only individuals to mention the program at Georgetown. Boniadi referenced the event in her speech.

“Eight people came together to form a rainbow of ideologies. This new season needs all of us to rebuild a new Iran,” said Boniadi.

As she spoke, a dazzling rainbow appeared overhead, serving not only as a reminder of Pirfalak’s sacrifice, but also as a symbol of the youth-led revolution.

Another prevailing theme shared between the two events was resistance to Western intervention. The Iranian diaspora hopes that raising their voice will encourage Western nations to listen to their plea for help and reform.

“We want their support. We don’t want them to do anything. We want them to stand with us,” said the family.

Echoing that statement, Esmaeilion called on governments of the free world to open their eyes and ears to the Iranian people—with one major caveat.

“If you can’t help, stand out of the way and let us determine our own destiny,” said Esmaeilion.

However, the absence of Pahlavi loomed large. Scattered amongst the signs for “Woman, Life, Freedom” were pictures and banners of the Crown Prince, calling for his leadership. Unity, while central to the panel and necessary for the movement, mattered less to the crowd.

Multiple fights broke out between supporters of Pahlavi and those supporting other groups, including Maryam Rajavi of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK): a political group that believes in democratic government built on the foundations of Islam.

Despite potential for tensions in the future, the crowd found unity in the present. Before parting from the family, the father turned, tipped his hat, and said demurely, “Woman, Life, Freedom.”