A pale winter sun lay low over Berlin’s grand boulevards as thousands gathered near the Brandenburg Gate, their breath rising like wisps of steam in the cold February air. On this day, an estimated 10,000 people—exiles, allies, and relatives of those lost to repression—came together not merely to raise voices, but to carry distant hopes into the heart of Germany’s capital. They stood beneath banners proclaiming “Freedom for Iran,” their footsteps echoing on cobblestones that have seen histories of upheaval and change.

The demonstration was a tapestry woven from many threads: Iranian flags rippled beside placards held high, faces etched with concern and determination, and earnest conversations about justice and solidarity. Organizers from exiled Iranian communities and international supporters had called for this moment to show unity with the uprisings that continue within Iran—uprisings born of economic hardship, political frustration, and a yearning for rights long denied.

Speeches rose above the crowd, carried in voices both native and translated, from a stage near the historic gate. Leaders emphasized that the quest for change must be led by Iranians themselves, not imposed from without. Their words struck a chord with many who have watched loved ones endure violence and incarceration back home. This gathering, though distant from Iran’s streets, was a living echo of the calls for freedom and dignity that have spread across cities and provinces in recent weeks.

Even as the event remained peaceful under the watch of police, it carried a weight that transcended its orderly procession. It was both a message of support to those still resisting within Iran’s borders and a subtle reminder to European capitals that the struggle for human rights knows no national fences. In the winter chill, the collective breath of the crowd seemed to whisper a shared conviction: that hope, like flame, persists even in weathered hands and in distant places.

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Sources

Reuters DPA Upday News Khaleej Times