Washington Vigil in Solidarity With Iran’s Uprising
Washington, DC – January 16, 2026: On Saturday night, Iranian Americans, supporters of the Iranian Resistance gathered in front of the White House to show solidarity with the ongoing nationwide protests in Iran. The participants—supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)—chanted anti-regime slogans and called for an end to dictatorship in all its forms, demanding the immediate release of political prisoners and detainees.
Demonstrators carried banners and portraits of the martyrs of the Iranian uprising, echoing the slogans of protesters inside Iran: “Regime change in Iran by the people of Iran,” and “No to the Shah! No to the Mullahs!” They urged the establishment of a free and democratic republic in Iran, rejecting both monarchical and theocratic rule.
Rally and candlelight vigil in Washington, DC, in front of the White House, in support of #IranRevolution2026.#No2ShahNo2Mullahs @POTUS @SecRubio pic.twitter.com/8ME9PQpsgl
— Iranian American Community of Virginia (@iac_virginia) January 16, 2026
Tribute to the Fallen and a Call for Action
The rally included a solemn candlelight vigil honoring thousands of protesters recently killed by the Iranian regime and the more than 50,000 detained during the ongoing uprising. Participants emphasized that generations of Iranians have paid the ultimate price for freedom and democracy. They stressed that the international community and the United States must hold the regime accountable for its crimes against humanity and support the Iranian people’s demand for regime change and justice.
Iranian Americans gathered in front of the @WhiteHouse in memory of the thousands who have been killed and the more than 50,000 who have been arrested. #FreeIran2026 #No2ShahNo2Mullahs pic.twitter.com/He7ngJPZ19
— Iranian American Community of Virginia (@iac_virginia) January 16, 2026
A Message to the World
As candles illuminated the night across Lafayette Park, participants renewed their pledge to stand with those risking their lives inside Iran. The vigil sent a powerful message to the world: support the people of Iran—not any form of dictatorship—as they fight for a democratic, secular, and free Republic of Iran.
Tonight, we honor those who have lost their lives to this murderous regime.
There are many generations of Iranians who have paid the ultimate price fighting for freedom and democracy at the hands of this regime.
It is imperative that we continue to support them in this fight.… pic.twitter.com/sWvshBIB6L
— OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) January 16, 2026
NOW happening in support of #IranProtests2026 @POTUS @SenTedCruz @RepBrianMast @TXRandy14 @SpeakerJohnson pic.twitter.com/TPymkO4p2j
— OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) January 16, 2026
