On March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day, thousands of Iranian Resistance’s supporters gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to participate in a demonstration advocating for the end of Iran’s current regime. The event, which began at 1 p.m. local time, brought together Iranians and representatives from various Iranian communities across the United States. Following speeches by notable American figures and Iranian community members, the participants marched from the Capitol to the White House to amplify their message.
According to our reporters, the rally drew a significant crowd, reflecting widespread support for the cause among the Iranian diaspora and their allies. The event highlighted the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran, with speakers addressing the regime’s policies and why the international community need to support this cause.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), delivered the keynote speech via a video message. In part of her speech, she said: “Now is the time to rise. Neither chance, nor coincidence, nor imaginary forces—none of these will cause change in Iran. This regime will neither collapse nor will it implode from within. There is only one way. That one and only way is organized resistance and uprising. Everything depends on the will and struggle of the children of Iran. Everything depends on whether we are willing to pay the full price for freedom. This is why we have come to the forefront. And we declare: Now is the time to rise.” Her words underscored the rally’s central theme of active resistance as the path to change.
Congressman Brad Sherman Highlights Women’s Role and Iran’s Nuclear Threat
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) addressed the crowd, focusing on the sacrifices of Iranian women and the regime’s nuclear ambitions. “Today is March 8th. People around the world celebrate International Women’s Day. But no one has paid a greater or steeper price than the women in the Islamic Republic. In September 2022, countless thousands of Iranians, led by Iranian women, rose up against this regime that has for decades been torturing and killing Iranian women who dare to defy the regime and demand to live freely,” he said.
Referring to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, Congressman Sherman also emphasized the role of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in exposing Iran’s nuclear program. “Now, we should remember that it was the MEK that first revealed to the world in the year 2002 that Iran was working on a nuclear weapon. This is the last resort of the ayatollahs’ regime. It cannot achieve popularity because of its policies, so it seeks to terrorize its own people and the people of the region. But it has failed. It lost its ally Hezbollah. It lost its ally Assad. And pretty soon it will lose its death grip on the Iranian people,” he stated. He cautioned, however, that “this is a dangerous moment,” urging U.S. support for pro-democracy groups. “That is why last week, my fellow Californian Congressman Tom McClintock and I joined with 150 bipartisan members of Congress to introduce a resolution supporting democracy in Iran, condemning the state-sponsored terrorism, and standing with the Iranian people—because a democratic Iran will not develop nuclear weapons.”
Rudy Giuliani Condemns the Regime and Rejects the Shah’s Legacy
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke about the regime’s record. “We’re here on International Women’s Day to stand together, to change, destroy, get rid of a 40-year regime of terror that has been nothing other than a homicidal, misogynistic regime—meaning they practice the persecution and murder of women because they’re women. How is it so many in America tolerate it, ignore it, and don’t report on it? That’s changing,” he said.
Giuliani argued that peace in the Middle East hinges on Iran’s transformation. “I believe that people recognize that the attempt to create peace in the Middle East will not work so long as the regime of terror under the Ayatollah remains in power. No matter what we do, no matter what any other nation does, the Ayatollah will undermine it. The people of Iran are captives of this tyranny. It’s a sickness, it’s a tyranny, and it’s one that has completely undermined the Western ability to resist it, and it’s time to stand up and say: Regime change in Iran,” he asserted.
He praised the NCRI’s strength, countering critics: “They say you are just a fringe group. You’re a cult. If you were so weak, why are you the most targeted for execution and murder in Iran? Because they are afraid of you. You don’t need soldiers, you have the NCRI, you have Madam Rajavi, you need support. You have my support. And I believe that next year at this time, with the grace of God, we’ll all meet in a free Iran.”
In an interview with our reporter, Giuliani dismissed the idea of restoring the Shah’s son to power. “I think it’s an almost ludicrous distraction. I’ve never heard of a country that fights for its freedom and restores a tyrannical government. The Shah was a tyranny. The Shah had the secret police. The Shah was responsible for the death of many, many people. And the Shah was a very weak man who ran away whenever there were problems. So he gets replaced by something worse. Now we’re going to go back to the lesser tyranny?”
“From the first Shah to the second to the third, we got serious gene pool deterioration. I think it’s all about money. And I actually think he cooperates with the regime because he talks about being able to use the Revolutionary Guard. What, is he crazy? The Revolutionary Guard? Those are the people under the guise of the Quds Force who kill my brothers and sisters, my American brothers and sisters,” he added.
On the sidelines of today's #2025RallyForAFreeIran we had this privilege to conduct an interview with mayor @RudyGiuliani who perfectly rejected the false notion of restoring the deposed monarchy in Iran. Hear his wise words. #FreeIran2025 #NCRIAlternative pic.twitter.com/mX4ROX50nG
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) March 8, 2025
Senator Sam Brownback Calls for Global Pressure
Senator Sam Brownback, former Governor of Kansas and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (2018–2021), spoke of imminent change. “The winds of change are blowing in Tehran. I’ve been coming to these rallies and speaking at them for 20 years because I believe in the cause, the need of change. How about next year in Tehran? Next year in Tehran. It is time, it is past time for this to happen. I applaud your heart and how you stayed with this for a long time, but this regime has got to go. No more excuses, this regime has got to go,” he said.
He urged broader international action: “We need European support for it, and they should support a change in regimes in Iran—regime change in Iran by the people of Iran. We’ve got maximum economic pressure. We need maximum security pressure. We need maximum political pressure on the Tehran regime. We’re into change—by the people of Iran.”
A Significant March to the White House
Following the speeches, participants began their march from the Capitol to the White House. According to our reporters, the procession stretched across several blocks, forming a seemingly endless line of demonstrators. The scale of the march was striking, with thousands moving in an orderly yet determined fashion through the streets of Washington D.C. Banners and flags dotted the route, and the sheer number of attendees underscored the magnitude of the event, reflecting the depth of commitment among those present.