LOS ANGELES (January 12, 2026) — The most significant movement for women’s rights, political rights and cultural freedom in the world today is unfolding on the streets of Iran. Tens of thousands of Iranians are bravely demonstrating against a brutal Islamist regime that has oppressed its people for more than 40 years.
Credible reports indicate that more than 400 protesters have already been shot and the true number may be far higher. These are not statistics; they are human beings demanding the basic freedoms owed to all people.
This is not a time for silence. It is a moment for governments, political leaders and public voices to speak up and stand publicly with the Iranian people.
Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian expatriate community in the world, including many who fled persecution and violence. Their lived experience is a powerful reminder that the Iranian people’s yearning for freedom is not abstract; it is a deeply personal aspiration that unites Iranian families, communities and generations.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center has long provided a platform for voices calling for freedom and accountability in Iran, including hosting Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi at the Museum of Tolerance. The message he shared, that Iranians deserve dignity, liberty and a future without fear, is even more urgent today.
We stand with the people of Iran and call on the international community to show public solidarity with their brave quest for political, civic and cultural freedom. History will remember who spoke and who remained silent.