Why Was There No Support For Reza Pahlavi And The Monarchy In New York? – OpEd
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, a massive demonstration took place in front of the United Nations in New York, protesting the presence of Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian. This protest garnered significant attention from major media outlets, including the Associated Press, Fox News, Reuters, ABC News, and Voice of America. According to a New York Times reporter, the entire 47th Street block was filled with protesters.
This energetic and powerful demonstration, reflecting what many see as the true voice of the Iranian people, was organized by supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). As always, it was executed with impressive discipline and coordination.
The demonstrators declared their aim as “protesting against President Khamenei’s presence at the UN, no to the regime of massacres and record executions, no to the head of the snake of warmongering, and the central banker of terrorism.” In a message to the protest, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi stated: “Your vibrant gathering today, and over the past four decades, puts the United Nations and its member states, especially Western powers, before this question: What is the president of executions and massacres doing at the UN?” Thousands of Iranian-Americans gathered outside the UN, demanding justice for the victims of the Iranian regime.
The protest spanned an entire street, with demonstrators filling the whole 47th Street block. They displayed images of those they claim were martyred for freedom. Chalk messages could be seen on the ground, reading: “Build peaceful societies and ensure decision-making power.” Political figures, human rights defenders, and other Iranians condemned the nearly 200 executions carried out since Pezeshkian came to power.
One protester told Reuters: “Pezeshkian does not represent the people of Iran. Iran’s seat at the United Nations does not belong to the Iranian regime. Iran’s seat at the UN should be handed over to the alternative to the regime, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, and its elected president.”
This raises an important question: Where were the other factions? And why was there no visible support for Reza Pahlavi and the monarchy in New York?
When considering why others, such as monarchists, did not participate—either to represent another segment of the Iranian community or to join forces with the PMOI protest and amplify the message—one can point to the unfortunate reality of division, fragmentation, and a lack of cohesive political or resistance strategy. This disunity has left these groups unprepared for pivotal moments like this.
As for the absence of Reza Pahlavi’s supporters and monarchists—particularly in the United States, where Pahlavi resides and where numerous pro-monarchy media channels have been active for years—the reasons are as follows:
First, monarchism is often a façade manipulated by the regime. Pro-monarchy rallies, such as those seen in the UK and elsewhere, are frequently orchestrated by the regime. Many involved have connections to the regime or share mutual interests.
Second, these groups are used as distractions to divert attention away from the PMOI, the regime’s main opposition, as well as from other republican and pro-democracy forces.
Thus, New York was not an environment where the regime could effectively deploy this strategy.
Additionally, Reza Pahlavi benefits from support provided by reactionary and colonial institutions. New York, and especially the area in front of the UN headquarters, was not the place for Reza Pahlavi to conduct business. Only those who make sacrifices and bear the costs of the struggle were present—and they made their voices heard.
