{"id":87806,"date":"2026-07-01T10:33:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=87806"},"modified":"2026-07-01T10:33:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:33:54","slug":"linda-chavez-calls-for-restoring-sovereignty-to-iranians-at-free-iran-2026-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/free-iran-2026\/2026\/07\/linda-chavez-calls-for-restoring-sovereignty-to-iranians-at-free-iran-2026-summit\/87806\/","title":{"rendered":"Linda Chavez Calls for Restoring Sovereignty to Iranians at Free Iran 2026 Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Linda
Linda Chavez backs the Iranian people\u2019s right to freedom and self-determination at Free Iran 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former White House Director of Public Liaison Linda Chavez delivered a keynote speech on June 21 during the second day of the Free Iran 2026 World Summit<\/a> in Paris, emphasizing that lasting democratic change in Iran must come from its own people.<\/p>\n

Chavez began by describing her initial feelings upon arriving at the conference, saying she was deeply discouraged by recent international policies toward Iran\u2019s clerical establishment and by restrictions imposed on planned demonstrations in France. Despite that disappointment, she said the determination expressed by speakers throughout the summit renewed her optimism.<\/p>\n

Pointing to the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the legacy of democratic movements throughout history, Chavez argued that freedom is achieved through the perseverance of citizens rather than imposed by external powers. She also referenced the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, drawing comparisons between the American struggle for liberty and the aspirations of Iranians seeking democratic change.<\/p>\n

Highlighting a central principle advocated by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Chavez said military action alone cannot establish democracy. Echoing the views of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, she stressed that genuine political transformation requires returning the right of self-governance to the Iranian people instead of simply replacing one ruling system with another.<\/p>\n

Closing her address, Chavez reaffirmed her support for the Iranian resistance movement and pledged to continue advocating for the Iranian people\u2019s pursuit of freedom, democracy, and national sovereignty.<\/p>\n