Women lead the force for change for a free Iran

The annual gathering of the Iranian opposition for a free Iran convened in Villepinte, Paris, in the afternoon of Saturday, July 1, 2017, lasting for 10 hours.

Tens of thousands of supporters and hundreds of distinguished personalities, elected representatives and activists for human and women’s rights activists from U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia participated in the rally in solidarity for a free Iran.

Speakers stressed regime change as the only viable solution not only for a free Iran but to end the crisis in the Middle East and terrorism and extremism.

Keynote speaker the Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi underlined in her speech the three fundamental truths which are significant to obtaining freedom for Iran and establishing peace and tranquility in the Middle East.

Maryam Rajavi said, “The winds of change have started blowing in our homeland. The ruling regime is in disarray and paralyzed as never before. Iranian society is simmering with discontent and the international community is finally getting closer to the reality that appeasing the ruling theocracy is misguided. The same volatile situation speaks to three fundamental truths for obtaining freedom in Iran, and peace and tranquility in the region. First, the imperative of overthrowing the ruling religious dictatorship. Second, the regime’s overthrow is within reach. And third, a democratic alternative and an organized resistance exists, which is capable of toppling the theocracy in Iran.”

Mrs. Rajavi addressed women and youths in Iran as well as other sectors to rise up and erect 1000 bastions of rebellion to overthrow the religious dictatorship and bring freedom, justice and equality to the nation.

Dozens of speakers including a number of prominent women addressed the gathering and declared their support for Mrs. Rajavi’s leadership. They included Rita Süssmuth, former speaker of the German Bundestag and women’s rights advocate; Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Germany’s former Minister of Justice; Baroness Sandip Verma from UK, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development and Ministerial Champion for tackling Violence Against Women & Girls Overseas; Ranjana Kumari, Director of the Center for Social Research in India; Maria Elena Elverdin, President of International Federation of Women in Legal Career, from Argentina; Maria Candida Almeida, Deputy Attorney General of Portugal; Linda Chavez, founder and chairwoman of the Center for Equal Opportunity, former White House Public Relations Liaison; Catherine Noone, a practicing solicitor and Deputy Leader of Seanad Éireann, the Upper House of Ireland; Elona Gjebrea, deputy Interior Minister of Albania and National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings; Íngrid Betancourt, former presidential candidate for Columbia; Rama Yade, Secretary of Human Rights (2007-2009) and permanent delegate to UNESCO (2010-2011), France; The Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (2012-2016), UK; Michèle de Vau Covler, French MP; Nejat Al-Astal, MP from Palestine; Els van Hoof, MP from Belgium; Martine Valleton, mayor of Villepinte from France.