Frequently Asked Questions
Solidarity Rally with the People of Iran and Against the U.S.–Israeli War on Iran - August 9, 2026
Why are we organizing this rally?
We oppose the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war on Iran and stand in solidarity with the people of Iran and the region, who bear the greatest cost of war.
Military attacks, economic sanctions, and threats of escalation have resulted in civilian deaths, displacement, destruction of infrastructure, economic hardship, and increased repression. Ordinary people are paying the price of imperialist wars and geopolitical conflicts.
Why are we against the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran?
As organizers of this rally and as Iranian activists rooted in feminist and socialist movements, we unequivocally oppose this war because we reject U.S. imperialism, the Israeli apartheid regime, military aggression, foreign intervention, and the bombardment of Iran.
We also reject the claim that this war is being waged for the benefit or liberation of the people of Iran. The imperial powers behind such interventions make clear that their objectives are not the protection of people, the preservation of societies, or the advancement of democratic and human rights, but the pursuit of geopolitical, military, and economic interests.
History has shown repeatedly that imperial interventions do not liberate people or strengthen the social fabric of the societies they target. Instead, they bring destruction, deepen instability, weaken progressive and grassroots movements, and create conditions that further harm working-class communities, women, gender-diverse people, and other oppressed and marginalized groups.
This war has been devastating for the people of Iran, especially working-class, oppressed, and marginalized communities, including women, gender-diverse people, and children. People are facing rising unemployment, poverty, hyperinflation, and intensified repression, crackdowns, and executions by the Islamic Republic, all of which have significantly worsened since the war began. They are also enduring the loss of civilian lives, constant fear for their safety and the safety of their loved ones, uncertainty, and a profound lack of safety under bombardment.
Why “solidarity with the people of Iran”?
Our solidarity is with the people of Iran, and the region, not with any state, including the Islamic Republic regime. We reject the false “choice” between supporting foreign military intervention and supporting the Islamic Republic.
Millions of people in Iran have struggled for decades for freedom, women’s rights, workers’ rights, equality, freedom of expression, and social and economic justice. Their voices and struggles deserve international solidarity without being instrumentalized by governments pursuing their own geopolitical agendas.
Why are certain flags and symbols not welcome?
This rally centers on solidarity with the people of Iran, not with any government or project of state power. We strongly oppose the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war on Iran and call for its immediate and permanent end.
Many of us are refugees and immigrants from Iran who have experienced persecution, imprisonment, or other forms of repression by the Islamic Republic due to our involvement in labour, women’s, student, grassroots, and left movements. Our firm opposition to the Islamic Republic remains unchanged. Today, we are mobilizing against the devastating consequences of the U.S.–Israeli military assault while continuing to stand with the people of Iran in their struggles for freedom, equality, justice, and self-determination.
For these reasons, participants are specifically asked not to bring the flags of the United States, Israel, or the Islamic Republic of Iran, nor the Lion and Sun flag or SAVAK symbols.
Today, the Lion and Sun flag is widely associated with the Pahlavi monarchist current and with political positions that support foreign military intervention against Iran. ⬇️
Solidarity Rally with the People of Iran and Against the U.S.–Israeli War on Iran - August 9, 2026
Why are we organizing this rally?
We oppose the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war on Iran and stand in solidarity with the people of Iran and the region, who bear the greatest cost of war.
Military attacks, economic sanctions, and threats of escalation have resulted in civilian deaths, displacement, destruction of infrastructure, economic hardship, and increased repression. Ordinary people are paying the price of imperialist wars and geopolitical conflicts.
Why are we against the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran?
As organizers of this rally and as Iranian activists rooted in feminist and socialist movements, we unequivocally oppose this war because we reject U.S. imperialism, the Israeli apartheid regime, military aggression, foreign intervention, and the bombardment of Iran.
We also reject the claim that this war is being waged for the benefit or liberation of the people of Iran. The imperial powers behind such interventions make clear that their objectives are not the protection of people, the preservation of societies, or the advancement of democratic and human rights, but the pursuit of geopolitical, military, and economic interests.
History has shown repeatedly that imperial interventions do not liberate people or strengthen the social fabric of the societies they target. Instead, they bring destruction, deepen instability, weaken progressive and grassroots movements, and create conditions that further harm working-class communities, women, gender-diverse people, and other oppressed and marginalized groups.
This war has been devastating for the people of Iran, especially working-class, oppressed, and marginalized communities, including women, gender-diverse people, and children. People are facing rising unemployment, poverty, hyperinflation, and intensified repression, crackdowns, and executions by the Islamic Republic, all of which have significantly worsened since the war began. They are also enduring the loss of civilian lives, constant fear for their safety and the safety of their loved ones, uncertainty, and a profound lack of safety under bombardment.
Why “solidarity with the people of Iran”?
Our solidarity is with the people of Iran, and the region, not with any state, including the Islamic Republic regime. We reject the false “choice” between supporting foreign military intervention and supporting the Islamic Republic.
Millions of people in Iran have struggled for decades for freedom, women’s rights, workers’ rights, equality, freedom of expression, and social and economic justice. Their voices and struggles deserve international solidarity without being instrumentalized by governments pursuing their own geopolitical agendas.
Why are certain flags and symbols not welcome?
This rally centers on solidarity with the people of Iran, not with any government or project of state power. We strongly oppose the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war on Iran and call for its immediate and permanent end.
Many of us are refugees and immigrants from Iran who have experienced persecution, imprisonment, or other forms of repression by the Islamic Republic due to our involvement in labour, women’s, student, grassroots, and left movements. Our firm opposition to the Islamic Republic remains unchanged. Today, we are mobilizing against the devastating consequences of the U.S.–Israeli military assault while continuing to stand with the people of Iran in their struggles for freedom, equality, justice, and self-determination.
For these reasons, participants are specifically asked not to bring the flags of the United States, Israel, or the Islamic Republic of Iran, nor the Lion and Sun flag or SAVAK symbols.
Today, the Lion and Sun flag is widely associated with the Pahlavi monarchist current and with political positions that support foreign military intervention against Iran. ⬇️
In recent months, it has often appeared alongside Israeli state symbols at public demonstrations where many human rights defenders, democratic rights advocates, anti-war and peace activists, leftists and others who do not identify with the Pahlavi movement have reported experiences of intimidation and harassment.
Our purpose is to create a space centered on solidarity with the people of Iran and opposition to war and repression. We respect the right of others to organize their own events and express their political views throughout the year. At this rally, however, we ask participants to respect our organizing principles and the shared space we are building.
As organizers, we do not consider national flags to be politically neutral or universally representative. We recognize that many participants may understand these symbols differently. Flags carry particular historical, political, and social meanings, and, with rare exceptions, no flag can fully represent the diversity of a people. This is true in all societies marked by deep political divisions, unequal social relations, and histories in which the vast majority of people have never had a genuinely democratic opportunity to determine the symbols that represent them.
In the case of Iran, a country of more than 93 million people with diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, political traditions, and polarized social classes, there is no single flag today that can claim to represent everyone. We have chosen to center the people themselves and the principles that unite us. We therefore ask participants to refrain from bringing flags associated with current or former ruling regimes.
How can you support this rally?
We warmly welcome participation from individuals and organizations, including anti-war, peace, labour, feminist, anti-racist, Indigenous solidarity, migrant justice, queer and trans liberation, human rights, socialist, environmental, and community organizations.
We encourage participants to bring signs, banners, organizational flags, and symbols expressing opposition to war, imperialism, repression, and dictatorship, as well as support for peace, international solidarity, workers’ rights, feminism, socialism, human rights, and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
4:00–5:30 PM
Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Organized by:
Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada and Feminists for Jina – Toronto
Our purpose is to create a space centered on solidarity with the people of Iran and opposition to war and repression. We respect the right of others to organize their own events and express their political views throughout the year. At this rally, however, we ask participants to respect our organizing principles and the shared space we are building.
As organizers, we do not consider national flags to be politically neutral or universally representative. We recognize that many participants may understand these symbols differently. Flags carry particular historical, political, and social meanings, and, with rare exceptions, no flag can fully represent the diversity of a people. This is true in all societies marked by deep political divisions, unequal social relations, and histories in which the vast majority of people have never had a genuinely democratic opportunity to determine the symbols that represent them.
In the case of Iran, a country of more than 93 million people with diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, political traditions, and polarized social classes, there is no single flag today that can claim to represent everyone. We have chosen to center the people themselves and the principles that unite us. We therefore ask participants to refrain from bringing flags associated with current or former ruling regimes.
How can you support this rally?
We warmly welcome participation from individuals and organizations, including anti-war, peace, labour, feminist, anti-racist, Indigenous solidarity, migrant justice, queer and trans liberation, human rights, socialist, environmental, and community organizations.
We encourage participants to bring signs, banners, organizational flags, and symbols expressing opposition to war, imperialism, repression, and dictatorship, as well as support for peace, international solidarity, workers’ rights, feminism, socialism, human rights, and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
4:00–5:30 PM
Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Organized by:
Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada and Feminists for Jina – Toronto
PRESS RELEASE
Community Rally Calls for Solidarity with the People of Iran and an End to the U.S.-Israeli War on Iran
Toronto, ON — The Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada and Feminists for Jina – Toronto invite community members, anti-war activists and peace advocates, and our allies to join a public rally calling for an immediate and permanent end to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and expressing solidarity with the people of Iran.
The rally will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
We condemn the U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran and the devastating consequences they have inflicted on the people of Iran, particularly the working-class and other oppressed and marginalized communities, including women, gender-diverse people, children, and other systemically disadvantaged groups. The people of Iran continue to face civilian deaths, displacement, skyrocketing unemployment, poverty and hyperinflation, and the Islamic Republic’s intensified repression, crackdowns, and executions, all of which have been significantly exacerbated since the US- Israeli aggression on Iran began. We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran and their struggle for freedom, equality, justice, and self-determination.
We oppose war, foreign military intervention, imperialism, and all forms of state repression. We call for an immediate end to the war and express our firm support for the people of Iran and their struggle to determine their own future, free from external interference and domestic violence and oppression.
We, furthermore, call on the Canadian government to condemn the US-Israeli aggression and end any political, military, or other support for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, and to take a clear position in favour of an immediate and permanent end to the war.
Event Details:
Solidarity Rally with the People of Iran and Against the U.S.-Israeli War on Iran
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, near Bay Street and Queen Street West intersection
Media Contact:
Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada
ipj.ca.collective@gmail.com
Feminists for Jina – Toronto
feminists4jinato@proton.me
Community Rally Calls for Solidarity with the People of Iran and an End to the U.S.-Israeli War on Iran
Toronto, ON — The Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada and Feminists for Jina – Toronto invite community members, anti-war activists and peace advocates, and our allies to join a public rally calling for an immediate and permanent end to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and expressing solidarity with the people of Iran.
The rally will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
We condemn the U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran and the devastating consequences they have inflicted on the people of Iran, particularly the working-class and other oppressed and marginalized communities, including women, gender-diverse people, children, and other systemically disadvantaged groups. The people of Iran continue to face civilian deaths, displacement, skyrocketing unemployment, poverty and hyperinflation, and the Islamic Republic’s intensified repression, crackdowns, and executions, all of which have been significantly exacerbated since the US- Israeli aggression on Iran began. We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran and their struggle for freedom, equality, justice, and self-determination.
We oppose war, foreign military intervention, imperialism, and all forms of state repression. We call for an immediate end to the war and express our firm support for the people of Iran and their struggle to determine their own future, free from external interference and domestic violence and oppression.
We, furthermore, call on the Canadian government to condemn the US-Israeli aggression and end any political, military, or other support for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, and to take a clear position in favour of an immediate and permanent end to the war.
Event Details:
Solidarity Rally with the People of Iran and Against the U.S.-Israeli War on Iran
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, near Bay Street and Queen Street West intersection
Media Contact:
Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada
ipj.ca.collective@gmail.com
Feminists for Jina – Toronto
feminists4jinato@proton.me
Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice – Canada and Feminists for Jina – Toronto organized a solidarity rally with the people of Iran and against the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
The rally highlighted the devastating impact of the war on ordinary people in Iran, particularly working-class people and systematically oppressed and marginalized communities. The war has intensified civilian deaths, destruction of essential infrastructure, displacement, unemployment, poverty, and hyperinflation, while the Islamic Republic has further escalated repression, crackdowns, and executions under the pretext of wartime conditions.
The rally was endorsed by Association of Iranian Women of Montreal – Association des femmes iraniennes de Montréal, International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran, Iran Solidarity (همیاری), Chinese Feminism in Toronto, Community Peacemaker Teams, No More Silence, Revolutionary Communist Party, Socialist Project, and Spring Socialist Network.
As anticipated, the rally was targeted by a group of vulgar, loud, and aggressive Pahlavi supporters (supporting Iran’s former monarchical regime), as well as other non-Iranian far-right individuals, who attempted to disrupt and intimidate participants.
This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a recurring pattern in recent months of reactionary Pahlavists targeting anti-war and leftist groups while aligning themselves with imperialism and Zionism.
We strongly oppose the U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran and reject war, imperialism, militarism, monarchy, and state repression. We stand with the people of Iran and their struggle to determine their own future.
No to war. No to U.S. imperialism. No to repression. No to the Islamic Republic! Power to the people!
Videos of the event will be posted online soon.
#NoToWar #StopTheWarOnIran #NoToUSImperialism #NoToIsraeliAggression #NoToTheIslamicRepublic #PowerToThePeople #WomanLifeFreedom #JinJiyanAzadi #IranSolidarity #AntiWar #AntiImperialism #WorkersSolidarity #InternationalSolidarity #StopExecutionsInIran #Toronto #Iran
The rally highlighted the devastating impact of the war on ordinary people in Iran, particularly working-class people and systematically oppressed and marginalized communities. The war has intensified civilian deaths, destruction of essential infrastructure, displacement, unemployment, poverty, and hyperinflation, while the Islamic Republic has further escalated repression, crackdowns, and executions under the pretext of wartime conditions.
The rally was endorsed by Association of Iranian Women of Montreal – Association des femmes iraniennes de Montréal, International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran, Iran Solidarity (همیاری), Chinese Feminism in Toronto, Community Peacemaker Teams, No More Silence, Revolutionary Communist Party, Socialist Project, and Spring Socialist Network.
As anticipated, the rally was targeted by a group of vulgar, loud, and aggressive Pahlavi supporters (supporting Iran’s former monarchical regime), as well as other non-Iranian far-right individuals, who attempted to disrupt and intimidate participants.
This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a recurring pattern in recent months of reactionary Pahlavists targeting anti-war and leftist groups while aligning themselves with imperialism and Zionism.
We strongly oppose the U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran and reject war, imperialism, militarism, monarchy, and state repression. We stand with the people of Iran and their struggle to determine their own future.
No to war. No to U.S. imperialism. No to repression. No to the Islamic Republic! Power to the people!
Videos of the event will be posted online soon.
#NoToWar #StopTheWarOnIran #NoToUSImperialism #NoToIsraeliAggression #NoToTheIslamicRepublic #PowerToThePeople #WomanLifeFreedom #JinJiyanAzadi #IranSolidarity #AntiWar #AntiImperialism #WorkersSolidarity #InternationalSolidarity #StopExecutionsInIran #Toronto #Iran
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Statement of the Iranian Collective for Peace and Justice - Canada at the Aug 9, 2026 solidarity rally with the people of Iran and against the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
بیانیهی کلکتیو ایرانیان برای صلح و عدالت - کانادا که در تجمع همبستگی با مردم ایران و مخالفت با جنگ امریکا و اسرائیل علیه ایران در ۹ آگست ۲۰۲۶ قرائت شد.
#NoToWar #StopTheWarOnIran #NoToUSImperialism #NoToIsraeliAggression #NoToTheIslamicRepublic #PowerToThePeople #WomanLifeFreedom #JinJiyanAzadi #IranSolidarity #AntiWar #AntiImperialism #WorkersSolidarity #InternationalSolidarity #StopExecutionsInIran #Toronto #Iran
بیانیهی کلکتیو ایرانیان برای صلح و عدالت - کانادا که در تجمع همبستگی با مردم ایران و مخالفت با جنگ امریکا و اسرائیل علیه ایران در ۹ آگست ۲۰۲۶ قرائت شد.
#NoToWar #StopTheWarOnIran #NoToUSImperialism #NoToIsraeliAggression #NoToTheIslamicRepublic #PowerToThePeople #WomanLifeFreedom #JinJiyanAzadi #IranSolidarity #AntiWar #AntiImperialism #WorkersSolidarity #InternationalSolidarity #StopExecutionsInIran #Toronto #Iran
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Statement of Iran Solidarity (همیاری) at the Aug 9, 2026 solidarity rally with the people pf Iran and against the U.S.- Israeli war on Iran.
بیانیهی گروه همیاری (Iran Solidarity) در تجمع همبستگی با مردم ایران و مخالفت با جنگ امریکا و اسرائیل با ایران، ۹ آگست ۲۰۲۶.
#NoToWar #StopTheWarOnIran #NoToUSImperialism #NoToIsraeliAggression #NoToTheIslamicRepublic #PowerToThePeople #WomanLifeFreedom #JinJiyanAzadi #IranSolidarity #AntiWar #AntiImperialism #WorkersSolidarity #InternationalSolidarity #StopExecutionsInIran #Toronto #Iran
بیانیهی گروه همیاری (Iran Solidarity) در تجمع همبستگی با مردم ایران و مخالفت با جنگ امریکا و اسرائیل با ایران، ۹ آگست ۲۰۲۶.
#NoToWar #StopTheWarOnIran #NoToUSImperialism #NoToIsraeliAggression #NoToTheIslamicRepublic #PowerToThePeople #WomanLifeFreedom #JinJiyanAzadi #IranSolidarity #AntiWar #AntiImperialism #WorkersSolidarity #InternationalSolidarity #StopExecutionsInIran #Toronto #Iran
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بیانیهی فمینیستها برای ژینا - تورنتو در تجمع همبستگی با مردم ایران و مخالفت با جنگ امریکا و اسرائیل با ایران، ۹ آگست ۲۰۲۶.
Statement of Feminists for Jina - Toronto at the Aug 9, 2026 solidarity rally with the people of Iran and against the U.S.- Israeli war on Iran.
#نه_به_جنگ #زن_زندگی_آزادی #نه_به_جمهوری_اسلامی #نه_به_امپریالیسم_آمریکا #نه_به_آپارتاید_اسرائیل
Statement of Feminists for Jina - Toronto at the Aug 9, 2026 solidarity rally with the people of Iran and against the U.S.- Israeli war on Iran.
#نه_به_جنگ #زن_زندگی_آزادی #نه_به_جمهوری_اسلامی #نه_به_امپریالیسم_آمریکا #نه_به_آپارتاید_اسرائیل