Iranian Americans in Atlanta are fighting for democracy in Iran and the U.S.

There are between 1.2 million and 2 million Iranians or Iranian Americans living in the United States, according to EBSCO Research Starters, with around 11,000 residing in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Generally, this community has achieved professional and financial success, taking full advantage of the opportunities America offers.

Those of us who made this country our home began to work, started our families, and tried to raise bicultural and bilingual children, blending Iranian heritage with American values.

However, as we established our lives, many of us realized that something vital was missing.

Living in a democracy granted us freedoms that our relatives and friends in Iran still long for. With that came a sense of responsibility — to be a voice for those suffering under the oppressive Iranian regime.

Motivated by this realization, a small group of us began meeting regularly to discuss developments in Iran and explore ways to take action. These efforts led to the formation of a grassroots community focused on promoting democracy and human rights in Iran by raising awareness within our communities, religious institutions, businesses and among elected officials.

This cause is deeply personal to many of us. In my own family, three of my young cousins were arrested for supporting an opposition group. Two were killed in a clash with the Revolutionary Guard, and the third — just 15 years old — was sentenced to 75 lashes and three years in prison. I still remember their mother’s constant panic as she traveled frantically from city to city, trying to find where her daughters were held.

Many in our organization have similar stories. Some are former political prisoners; others have lost loved ones to the regime’s brutality. It’s not an exaggeration to say that nearly every Iranian family knows someone who has been arrested, tortured or executed. This shared pain has unified us in our mission for justice and freedom.

We began modestly by collecting photographs and stories of victims of the regime, which we shared in public spaces — such as malls, airports, museums and churches — to raise awareness and gather petition signatures. Through persistent outreach, we built relationships with local faith leaders, some of whom publicly supported our cause. We also engaged with elected officials, meeting with congressional district staff to advocate for support of the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and to condemn the regime’s ongoing human rights violations.

Advancements in communication technology allowed us to connect more effectively with like-minded advocacy groups nationwide, creating momentum and highlighting the need for unity. In 2012, Iranian American organizations from 41 states united to form the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), a key step in coordinating efforts to promote democratic change in Iran.

We believe that defeating the ruling theocracy requires a strong and credible alternative, which we see in the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Led by Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI has shown enduring organizational strength and a clear democratic vision for Iran, outlined in its Ten-Point Plan — which advocates for universal suffrage, gender equality, secular governance, a non-nuclear republic and human rights.

Through the formation of OIAC and alignment with the NCRI, our collective voice grew stronger. We expanded national demonstrations and began engaging directly with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., amplifying our message at the highest levels of government.

The results have been powerful. Ten members of Congress from Georgia, spanning both political parties, have expressed consistent support for our cause. These include Rep. Buddy Carter, R-District 1; Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-District 2; Rep. Hank Johnson, D-District 4; Rep. Lucy McBath D-District 6; Rep. Rich McCormick, R-District 7; Rep. Austin Scott, R-District 8; Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-District 9; Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-District 11; Rep. Rick Allen, R-District 12; and Rep. David Scott, D-District 13.

They have co-sponsored key resolutions — such as H Res 166, H Res 100, H Res 118, and H Res 1148 — condemning the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses and regional terrorism, supporting the Iranian people’s right to seek regime change, and endorsing Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan as a democratic vision for Iran’s future. All these resolutions have the majority of the cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

For a relatively small community with no background in politics, this level of engagement is deeply empowering. Living in a democracy has given us not only safety and opportunity but also a voice. We’re using that voice to stand up for the millions in Iran who are still denied their rights.