![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Maryam-Rajavi-255x300.jpg\")
<\/strong>, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, was the keynote speaker. She emphasized that the only way to liberate the Iranian people from religious tyranny and to establish peace and tranquility in the region is to overthrow the velayat-e faqih (absolute clerical rule) . She underscored that the overthrow of this regime is indispensable, feasible, and within reach, and that a democratic alternative and an organized resistance exists to topple it. Mrs. Rajavi added that this democratic alternative is working to establish freedom and democracy in Iran; it will bring harmony to various ethnic groups; will end discord and divide between Shiites and Sunnis and eliminate tensions between Iran and its neighbors.\nThousands of PMOI members residing in Albania joined the Grand Gathering via satellite.
\nDozens of political figures addressed the event:<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ed Rendell<\/strong>, former Chairman of the U.S. Democratic Party and Governor of Pennsylvania: \u201cNow the next step is to free Iran. You all know down deep that regime change is up to the people of Iran, and that means you, that means the people who are in Albania, that means the Iranian dissidents all around the globe, and it means Iranian dissidents in Iran, in Tehran, and all of the different cities. But the United States has to stand firm and stand behind this movement. And I believe we will.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Joseph Lieberman<\/strong>, former U.S. Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate: \u201cThe capital, since 1979, of Islamic extremism and terrorism has been in Tehran under this extremist regime, and that is why it\u2019s got to go. \u2026 To just talk about [what happened to the 30,000 Iranians, mostly members of the MEK, who were massacred in 1988], to hold Madame Rajavi\u2019s picture up in public places, is a sign of the unrest of the people and the growing confidence of the people that change is near. \u2026 It is time for America and hopefully some of our allies in Europe to give whatever support we can to those who are fighting for freedom within Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Videos and images of the extensive campaign of youths and supporters of the PMOI and the Iranian Resistance in different parts of Tehran and at least 50 cities throughout the country in support of the Great Gathering in Paris with the slogans \u201cFreedom, Equality with Maryam Rajavi,\u201d \u201cDeath to Khamenei, Hail to Rajavi,\u201d \u201cDeath to the principle of Velayat-e Faqih, long live National Liberation Army\u201d, \u201cNo to death penalty\u201d, \u201cHail to the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran\u201d, \u201cEquality of all nationalities and followers of religions with Maryam Rajavi\u201d were broadcast at the event. Political prisoners from prisons across the country took great risk and sent various messages from inside the prisons, expressing solidarity with the Grand Gathering, voicing support for regime change and for democracy and freedom in Iran. In addition to dozens of speakers from more than 50 countries (the list of speakers is attached), a several U.S. senators and Congressmen, including Robert Menendez, senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, , leader of, Lord Carlyle and Lord Clarke from the UK, and Senator Gianluca Castaldi of Italy, a large number of European Parliament lawmakers, including Vice-President Ryszard Czarnecki, as well as personalities from other countries expressed their solidarity by sending video messages to the annual gathering of the Iranian Resistance.<\/p>\n On the eve of the gathering, 29 prominent American former officials declared their solidarity with the goals of the gathering: \u201cUnder the leadership of Maryam Rajavi, a Muslim woman standing for gender equality, which is an antidote to Islamic fundamentalism and extremism, it [MEK] is working every day to bring about a tolerant, non-nuclear Iranian republic based on separation of religion and state, that will uphold the rights of all. The National Council of Resistance of Iran, pursuing its long journey that began more than a half-century ago, has the vision, leadership and courage to lead the way to the creation of a new Iran. The obligation to stand up to this corrupt and illegitimate regime and say \u201cno more\u201d rests with the Iranian people alone, but the international community must meet its responsibility by condemning the Mullahs\u2019 oppression and embracing the Iranian people\u2019s aspirations for a free and prosperous Iran accepted and respected around the world. Today, we join with the Iranian people and colleagues from many other countries in pledging our support to this great cause.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition, MPs from different countries issued statements of support, including: \u2013 Statement by more than 300 lawmakers from the Houses of Commons and Lords in the UK and 100 British Bishops, condemning the massacre of political prisoners in Iran in 1988 and in support of comprehensive sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC);<\/p>\n \u2013 A statement by 320 Italian parliamentarians, condemning human rights violations and the massacre of political prisoners in 1988 and underscoring the need to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice;<\/p>\n \u2013 A statement by more than 100 Polish parliamentarians, condemning human rights violations and the wave of executions in Iran and on the need to prosecute its perpetrators;<\/p>\n \u2013 A statement by the majority in the Parliament of Malta and a large number of lawmakers in the Romanian Parliament;<\/p>\n \u2013 A statement by a number of Nobel laureates in support of the goals of Free Iran gathering;<\/p>\n Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran<\/p>\n July 10, 2017<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hundreds of senior former officials, lawmakers, and prominent personalities from 5 Continents attend The grand gathering of Iranians and supporters of the Iranian Resistance was held in Paris on Saturday, July 1st, in which hundreds of senior former officials, lawmakers, and prominent personalities from more than 50 countries in five continents participated. , President-elect of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_sgb_lightbox_settings":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-annual-gathering"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Gilbert-Mitterrand.jpg\")
Gilbert Mitterrand<\/strong>, head of the France Libert\u00e9s Foundation, welcomed the participants: \u201cYour broad presence here is like a referendum against the clerical regime and it shows the ability of this resistance to a democratic change in Iran. I also have to convey to the organizers of this gathering, the message of gratitude of the French President Francois Hollande (2012-2017). He has said that he will continue to pay attention to the human rights situation in Iran, due to the invitation you have made to participate in this gathering.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Rudy-Giuliani.jpg\")
Rudy Giuliani<\/strong>, former Mayor of New York: \u201cFinally, I can say, and I can probably say this with a good deal of authority, that the government of the United States supports you, we are behind you, we agree with your values. \u2026 The regime is evil and it must go. Free Iran. \u2026 We have an alternative, and that alternative is you. It is a democratic alternative. It is a force for change. It is well organized. It has popular support. And it has a vast network of supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Newt-Gingrich.jpg\")
Newt Gingrich<\/strong>, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives: \u201cIran must be free. The dictatorship must be destroyed. Containment is appeasement, and appeasement is surrender. The only practical goal is to support a movement to free Iran. Any other goal will leave a dictatorship finding ways to get around any agreement and to lie about everything.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Turki-Al-Faisal.jpg\")
Prince Turki Bin Faisal Al-Saud<\/strong> from Saudi Arabia: \u201cThis gathering is a place of assembly for all Iranians who left Iran due the oppression of the Velayat-e Faqih regime. Along with the representatives of many countries in the world who have suffered from the terrorism of this regime, the regime that is the biggest sponsor of terrorism. The Velayat-e Faqih regime needs to export crisis to survive, but the first victims of Khomeini and his followers are the Iranian people. Your efforts to confront this regime is legitimate and your struggle is for the liberation of the Iranian people with all its spectrum from Arabs, Kurds, Baluch, Azeri and Fars from the oppression of the Velayat-e Faqih.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Ed-Rendell.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Joseph-Lieberman.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Bernard-Kouchner.jpg\")
Bernard Kouchner<\/strong>, former Foreign Minister of France: \u201cChange in Iran will open the way to end extremism, the extremism born in the name of Islam throughout the region. This is not because Islam is a good ground for terrorism, instead they are using Islam as a tool for extremism and murder. So your role is not only necessary for change in Iran, but change Iran is certainly the beginning of a real change for democracy in the whole region.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Tom-Ridge.jpg\")
Tom Ridge<\/strong>, former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and Governor of Pennsylvania: \u201cWe join you in solidarity to raise our voice in support of a free Iran, regime change, and certainly the strong and inspirational leadership of Madame Rajavi. \u2026 There is only one popular, organized, magnificently led organization that can provide the democratic alternative to the existing regime. Only one group with proven leadership. Only one group with an exciting and clear vision for the future of Iran. A group led by an inspiring Muslim woman who mirrors the aspirations of the Iranian people who seek a secular republic with gender equality, separation of church and state, respect for human rights, and peaceful coexistence with its neighbors. A new Iran, a force for good, for human rights, for stability, and for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-John-Bolton.jpg\")
John Bolton<\/strong>, former U.S. ambassador to the UN: \u201cThe fact is that the Tehran regime is the central problem in the Middle East. \u2026 There is a viable opposition to the rule of the ayatollahs and that opposition is centered in this room today. \u2026 I have said for over ten years since coming to these events that the declared policy of the United States of America should be the overthrow of the mullahs\u2019 regime in Tehran. The behavior and the objectives of the regime are not going to change, and therefore the only solution is to change the regime itself. And that\u2019s why before 2019 we here will celebrate in Tehran.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Nasr-al-Hariri.jpg\")
Nasr al-Hariri<\/strong>, chairman of the Syrian opposition negotiating team: \u201cAnyone who is serious in the war on terror should put his position on Tehran and overthrow of this fascist regime. This regime should be put under pressure at the international level and at the United Nations, condemning it for its war crimes and its crimes against humanity, and should be expelled from the Islamic Cooperation Organization.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Judge-Ted-Poe.jpg\")
Judge Ted Poe<\/strong>, Member of the US Congress: \u201cThere were countless attacks at Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty. The IRGC was behind all of these attacks. And I have introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to designate the IRGC as a terrorist entity. And we will get that done, I can assure you. He added: about thirty years ago Khomeini, murdered 30,000 people because they were political dissidents. They wanted a regime change. It\u2019s time to have a day of reckoning for those people that were murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Sir-David-Amess.jpg\")
Sir David Amess<\/strong>, Member of the British Parliament: \u201cThe Iranian regime has been severely weakened; Mullahs are internally and externally very isolated. In Iran, the society is in an explosive state. People are crying out in the streets for change. The country\u2019s official opposition, the Iranian resistance, is expanding its activities inside the country. Internationally it has emerged as the only democratic alternative to the theocratic regime. Today we do not want to talk about condemnation of the mullah\u2019s crimes, we want to talk about regime change, which is at long last within our grasp. We want to talk about a future Iran with Maryam Rajavi\u2019s ten point plan, which gives freedom and human rights to all the people of Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-Giulio-Terzi.jpg\")
Giulio Terzi<\/strong>, former Italian Foreign Minister: \u201cEuropean leaders and businesses are ill-advised rushing \u2013 at their own risk \u2013 to the Iranian market as if Rouhani were making of it a new El Dorado: too often their partners are linked to the IRGC.
\nWorld leaders should look to the Iranian people, to the expatriate community: they should stand with them, support the Iranian Resistance, the freedom and human dignity the Iranians are striving for. The message to the mullah\u2019s must be: It\u2019s time for them to go.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Grand-Gathering-2017-John-Baird.jpg\")
John Baird<\/strong>, former Foreign Minister of Canada: \u201cInstead of engagement, accommodation, and appeasement, there is a better way. The time has come for the Iranian people to take charge of their own future. The time has come for regime change in Iran. The crowd at this rally today is the best indication of the desire for the Iranian people to seek a new path. \u2026 I\u2019d like to acknowledge the courageous leadership of all of you in this hall today and especially the courageous leadership of Madame Rajavi.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nRajavi laid wreath at the memorial of 120,000 martyrs of freedom.<\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Statement by 265 members of European Parliament in condemning human rights abuses in Iran and calling for the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist entity;<\/p>\n