The Washington Summit in Support of Iran Uprising for a Democratic & Free Republic in Iran was held on March 11, 2023, and featured speeches by several prominent American politicians, including former US Vice President Mike Pence, Gen. Wesley Clark, Gov. Gary Locke, Gov. Sam Brownback, and Sen. Robert Torricelli.
The summit was dedicated to promoting democracy and freedom in Iran and supporting the Iranian people’s efforts to achieve these goals. It brought together policymakers, experts, and activists from around the world to discuss the current situation in Iran, the challenges facing the democratic movement, and strategies for promoting change.
The speakers of this summit expressed their support for the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy and called for international support for their cause. The summit also highlighted the role of women in the resistance movement, the suffering of ethnic minorities in Iran, and the need for accountability for the regime’s crimes against humanity.
The speakers stressed that the current regime is a source of tyranny and oppression that must be removed, and the Iranian people must be given the opportunity to shape their own destinies.
The participants called for accountability for the regime’s crimes against humanity and stressed the importance of international support for the Iranian people. They warned against exchanging one dictatorship for another and emphasized the importance of staying true to the vision of a democratic and peaceful Iranian republic, without compromise.
The president-elect of the National Council Resistance of Iran (NCRI) Mrs. Maryam Rajavi spoke virtually at the event.
She thanked the distinguished figures of the United States who support the noble struggle of the Iranian people to overthrow the regime and establish freedom and democracy.
She highlighted that the regime has resorted to committing any crime to stop the uprising, resulting in tens of thousands of arrests and at least 750 deaths. The regime also carried out a horrific crime by poisoning thousands of schoolgirls nationwide through chemical attacks to stop the uprising.
She added that the situation in Iran will never return to before the beginning of this uprising. And that the cries of “death to Khamenei” have spread across Iran, and people have no fear and nothing to lose.
She noted that the regime has become weaker and faces more defections. It cannot prevent the explosive situation because that needs fundamental reforms, which will in turn lead to the regime’s overthrow.
She added that the Iranian people fully understand that the monarchy in Iran has always been a manifestation of fascism, and they must distance themselves from all forms of dictatorship.
She added that today, the democratic forces and the protesters are uniting around the three principles of overthrowing the regime in its entirety, forming a democratic republic, and separating religion and state.
Pence praised the resistance movement in Iran for their courage and bravery. He called for the removal of Ebrahim Raisi from office and his prosecution for crimes against humanity. Pence also rejected the possibility of a renewed nuclear deal with Iran and called for support for Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan for Iran’s future. He urged all free nations of the world to continue supporting the Iranian people in their quest for real change.
Gen. Wesley Clark expressed his support for Iran’s uprising, highlighting the need for the establishment of a democratic state. He praised the efforts of the MEK in resisting the current regime and promoting freedom and democracy in Iran and worldwide. He emphasized that the current policy of accommodating the mullahs’ regime is dead and that the people of Iran must stand up to bring about change. Clark sees hope in the determined popular protests and the leadership and courage of women in sparking transformation in Iran. He expressed his assurance that Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan will develop a new structure for a peaceful Iran, with justice for all citizens.
Gov. Gary Locke expressed support for a democratic Iran and the NCRI’s ten-point plan, endorsed by 224 members of Congress in H. Res 100. He highlighted the Iranian people’s desire for political change and a government that respects democratic norms and human rights. He called for international support for the Iranian people and accountability for the regime’s crimes against humanity. Locke acknowledged the role of women in the resistance and the suffering of ethnic minorities in Iran. He stressed that the revolution is about bringing democracy and freedom to Iran, not returning to the dictatorship of the Shah. He emphasized that recent protests are a result of 40 years of organized resistance to the regime.
Gov. Sam Brownback called for an end to dictators in Iran and supported the ongoing protests for a normal life. He said that the Iranian regime has lost the hearts of its people and called for heavy sanctions against the regime by the West. He reminded that the mullahs’ regime harms Islam and called for a united approach to countering its threats by the international community.
Sen. Robert Torricelli spoke about the upcoming revolution in Iran and how the people of Iran will not allow the theft of their revolution again. He welcomed all Iranians and non-Iranians to the cause but warned against exchanging one dictatorship for another. Torricelli praised the leaders and heroes of the MEK in Iran and emphasized the importance of staying true to the vision of a democratic and peaceful Iran, without compromise. He warned about the poison of oppression spreading and declared that there are only two kinds of Iranians: those who are part of the movement and those who will spend the rest of their lives denying not being part of it.
