Chants for democracy and regime change echoed through the diplomatic precinct of Canberra on Thursday morning as hundreds of protesters converged on the Iranian embassy. The demonstration, marked by whistling, cheers, and the waving of multiple national flags, saw a strong police presence and acts of defiance against the Islamic Republic's symbols.
A Defiant Gathering in the Nation's Capital
Approximately 300 people took part in the rally, a figure confirmed by an ACT Policing spokeswoman. At least twenty officers were stationed outside the embassy grounds as the crowd, many having travelled from Sydney and Melbourne, voiced their demands. Flags of Iran, Israel, the United States, and Australia were raised high among the demonstrators.
A clear sign of the protest's intent was visible on the embassy's own signage. The official plaque reading "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran" had been spray-painted over, now bearing the words "Javid Shah" in black paint. This phrase, meaning "long live the King," became a rallying cry, chanted loudly by the assembled group.
One Canberra-based protester, who wished to remain anonymous, explained the sentiment to The Canberra Times. "We support the people of Iran ... countries, including US and Australia, they support the Iranian movement," he said. He also revealed the fears within the local diaspora, estimating over 1000 Iranians live in the ACT but many stayed away, worried about potential backlash against family members still in Iran.
Blackout and Calls for Action
The protest in Canberra is part of a wave of demonstrations across Australian cities that began last Saturday, coinciding with mass protests within Iran itself. The Canberra protester highlighted a critical communication breakdown, stating, "Most of us have relatives in Iran, but we don't have any way to contact each other because the internet has been cut ... for four or five days now."
This information blackout amplifies the anxiety for the diaspora. The protests in Iran have reportedly turned deadly, with Reuters citing Iranian officials acknowledging over 2000 deaths, while a rights group places the toll above 2600.
In a symbolic act earlier in the week, protesters reportedly pulled down the current Iranian flag at the embassy and replaced it with an older, pre-revolution flag. The embassy swiftly restored the official flag the same day.
Diaspora Voices and International Pressure
The rally featured passionate speeches from members of the Iranian community in Australia. Dr. James Younessi, a Sydney doctor who travelled to Canberra, expressed his desire to return to Iran if the regime fell, but showed caution regarding foreign intervention. "I don't want Iran to be indentured to any foreign nation," he told AAP. However, he added that if it could stop the bloodshed, a measured international response would be welcome.
Another protester, Omid Fakhri, who also has lost contact with his family due to the internet shutdown, held a different view. "We don't care which military, just a military is fine, as long as they can go in and stop the massacre," he said.
The situation has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action if Iran continues its crackdown. In Australia, Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated travel warnings for Iran, advising Australians to avoid all protests in the region as the security situation could "deteriorate rapidly."
The demonstration in O'Malley stands as a vivid display of the local Iranian community's deep ties to the ongoing struggle in their homeland and their urgent calls for democratic change and an end to the violence.
