The Vigils, exhibitions and solidarity runs across the United States and Europe called for an immediate halt to executions, accountability for perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Iran, and expressed support for democratic regime change in Iran
Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Iranian communities across the United States marked World Day Against the Death Penalty with vigils, photo exhibitions, rallies to highlight intensifying executions of protesters, dissidents and political prisoners in Iran.
On October 10th, Iranian Americans held a candlelight vigil and photo exhibition at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to honor victims of repression and political executions in Iran. Participants called for an immediate halt to executions, freedom for political prisoners and international accountability for regime officials.
Activities also took place in several U.S. cities. In San Francisco, community activist rallied at Union Square, calling for urgent international action to stop executions and expressing support for a free and democratic Iran. In Houston, NCRI supporters held a photo exhibition at Hermann Square Park in front of City Hall, drawing attention to political prisoners and protesters facing execution. Iranian Americans in the Los Angeles area also marked the occasion with a local community activity against executions. Similar activities were held in Atlanta and Dallas.
The campaign also extended across Europe. In Amsterdam, supporters held a run against executions. In Paris, participants gathered at Parc Montsouris for a solidarity run, while supporters in Stockholm held a five-kilometer run outside Sweden’s Parliament. Other rallies, exhibitions, book stands and public actions took place in Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere, combining demands to stop executions with support for a secular, democratic republic in Iran.
Iranian-Canadian supporters of the Resistance also marked World Day Against the Death Penalty with an anti-execution activity in solidarity with political prisoners in Iran.
Increasing Executions and Repression in Iran
Amnesty International recorded 2,159 executions in Iran in 2025, the highest annual figure it has recorded there in decades. Amnesty has described the death penalty as an increasingly important instrument of political repression, alongside its extensive use for drug-related and other offenses. Repression intensified after the January 2026 uprising. Reuters reported on April 4 that Iran regime executed two men with affiliated with the MEK. Reuters also reported that NCRI President-elect for the transitional period Maryam Rajavi said eight MEK-affiliated prisoners were among 16 political prisoners executed during the preceding month.
Immediate Action and Democratic Change
The international activities carried two related messages: governments must act immediately to prevent further executions, while the underlying machinery of repression cannot be permanently dismantled without fundamental political change in Iran.
Participants called on governments and international institutions to increase pressure on the regime, demand a halt to executions, defend political prisoners and pursue accountability for officials responsible for executions, torture and other serious human-rights violations.