Protests in London Celebrate Death of Iranian Leader
Iranian protesters gathered in the heart of London, chanting slogans and celebrating the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The demonstration, which took place on Whitehall, drew around 2,000 participants who marched down to the Iranian embassy in Kensington. The event was marked by a mix of political demands and public expressions of joy.
The protesters called for the British government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. They also demanded the installation of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the exiled king of Iran, to power. The march featured chants such as “Trump and Bibi, thank you, thank you,” referencing the leaders of the United States and Israel.
One speaker expressed gratitude to Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that they were “eternally grateful” for their role in the death of Khamenei. The protest was also accompanied by music, with attendees dancing to an EDM remix of Trump’s speech announcing Khamenei’s assassination. Some even imitated Trump’s famous dance moves, adding a celebratory tone to the event.
The Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East
The conflict, now in its ninth day, has seen Iran respond aggressively by targeting Western military bases in its Gulf neighbors. This has drawn many countries into the escalating violence. Protesters at the demonstration chanted “Long live the king,” referring to Reza Pahlavi, and “The final battle, Pahlavi will return!” in Persian. These chants were not only led by adults but also by small children accompanying their parents.
Dozens of police officers attended the protest, with motorcycle-riding cops warning traffic about the march through central London. Bemused cyclists quickly gave way to a column of motorcyclists carrying Iranian flags. Many of these riders slowed down as they passed the protest, revving their engines in solidarity.
Effigies of Khamenei were displayed, with one depicting him as a rat in a coffin. A protester behind the coffin stated that they wanted to show people that the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime had died. He referred to Khamenei as “Moosh-Ali,” meaning he is a “rat” and a “coward.”
Symbols of Resistance and Support
Several signs and banners at the protest reflected the sentiments of the demonstrators. One sign read, “I swear I will stand behind the last drop of blood of the people we lost.” While most of the flags at the event were Iranian, several attendees carried Israeli and American flags. A few individuals waved Union Jack flags, showing support for the UK.
On top of national flags, some people waved flags of the Israeli military. One man was seen wearing a cape with both Iranian and Israeli flags. Dissident Iranians also held signs and wore hats that read “Make Iran Great Again,” referencing Trump’s slogan. Others carried banners depicting people killed by the Iranian regime.
Calls for Action and Political Criticism
Niyak Ghorbani, who helped organize the demonstration, criticized the Labour government for not taking action against the IRGC. He argued that the IRGC members and agents are present in the UK and pose a threat to British society. Ghorbani urged the government to ban the IRGC and shut down the Iranian embassy.
He accused British politicians of being “scared” of the Iranian regime, claiming they fear retaliation against their families. A protestor who preferred not to be named criticized Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to join the war effort, calling him a “coward.”
A woman at the protest spoke about her vision for a free Iran, stating that she would release “lions in [their] cages” and name streets after fallen heroes. She emphasized the importance of a free Iran for the safety of the West, highlighting the need to end groups like Hezbollah, Houthis, and Hamas.
Despite calls for the end of the regime, Iran has indicated that it has chosen Khamenei’s son as his successor. Ayatollah Hosseinali Eshkevari, a member of the clerical council, stated that the name of Khamenei would continue, and the vote for a new leader would be announced soon.
