Edmonton's Iranian Community Celebrates Khamenei's Death, Calls for National Referendum
Members of Edmonton's Iranian community gathered in significant numbers at Sir Winston Churchill Square on Sunday, celebrating what they describe as a historic turning point following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The crowd, braving chilling winds, expressed optimism that Iran would soon hold a national referendum to determine its political future.
Celebration and Calls for Transitional Government
Waving Canadian, Israeli, and American flags alongside traditional "Golden Lion" flags of Iran, over 100 people participated in the gathering. Many danced and passed out candies while an effigy of the deceased supreme leader hung from a pole, circulated among attendees.
"We gather here every weekend to support the Iranians who are standing in front of bullets," said Fatima Kahedi, a participant at the event. "They want regime change. We want regime change. It's not that I celebrate death, but if someone causes misery and takes people's lives away when you're just protesting for your basic human rights... This man made my parents and my life miserable."
Appeal to Canadian Government
The crowd collectively called upon Canada and Western nations to reject any new supreme leader selected by the Islamic Republic. Instead, they urged recognition of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as Iran's legitimate sovereign to facilitate a transitional government.
"It is really important for us to support our crown prince Reza Pahlavi and bring him back to Iran as a transitional government," explained organizer Masoud Bagherirad. "After that the people will have freedom to vote. As a Canadian-Iranian, I appreciate the Canadian government and people accepting us here."
Confidence in Transition Plan
Participants expressed confidence that U.S. and Israeli air strikes would not escalate into ground conflict, noting that a transition team stands ready to maintain order if the current regime collapses. They called upon Iran's regular military to stand down and refrain from supporting the Islamic Republic during this transitional period.
"This is the first time Iranians have had a chance to see the light at the end of the tunnel," said Payman Parseyan, another attendee. "We have political unity from across the spectrum supporting crown prince Reza Pahlavi to lead this transitional moment. He has an open published plan for 180 days for the people to conduct an open referendum and select the government they want to see in Iran."
Gratitude and Personal Concerns
Many in the crowd expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military strike that killed Khamenei. They also thanked Canada for providing a peaceful place to live and grow.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, some participants voiced personal concerns. Bagherirad noted he hasn't been able to contact his mother and brother since the strikes, mentioning they've been arrested twice previously due to his activism in Canada, though he believes they remain safe.
The gathering represents a significant expression from Edmonton's Iranian diaspora community, highlighting their hopes for political change in their homeland following the death of Iran's long-standing supreme leader.
