Members of the VivelIran movement gathered in Bordeaux to protest against the Iranian regime Calling for International Action
By Golden Page Daily News | Bordeaux, France
Imagine living in a country where the internet is cut off in order to deprive you of all contact with your friends, your family, and your loved ones. Imagine living in a country where women are thrown into prison, tortured, raped, killed; where their uterus is torn out and their bodies burned, simply because they protested.
Imagine living in a country where followers of certain religions, such as the Baha’is, are sentenced to death or forced into exile.
Imagine living in a country where you risk dozens of lashes for not respecting a religious rite. Imagine living in a country where trade union and social activists, students, intellectuals, political leaders, lawyers, and journalists are imprisoned simply for daring to tell the truth.
Imagine living in a country where the fate reserved for many prisoners is the death sentence, by public hanging or by discreet poisoning. One execution every four hours: such is the average rate observed over the past 47 years.
Imagine living in a country where the regime organizes targeted assassinations against its exiled opponents all over the world.
Imagine living in a country where children aged 10 to 12 are encouraged to carry military weapons and take part in military operations.
Imagine living in a country where the body of your loved one, murdered during a demonstration, is returned to you only on the condition that you pay for the bullets that were used to kill them.
Imagine living in a country where prisons are overflowing with intellectuals and workers: more than 70,000 people arrested in less than a week.
For the second time in recent months, members of the Vive l’Iran movement gathered in central Bordeaux on Sunday to draw attention to what they describe as ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.
Golden Page Daily News attended the demonstration and spoke with several participants, who said their objective was not only to remember victims but also to persuade European governments to take stronger action against the Iranian regime.
The demonstration took place outside the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, where protesters displayed photographs and biographies of individuals they claim were killed, imprisoned, or persecuted during anti-government protests in Iran.
Many participants carried Iranian flags and banners bearing the image of opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, while others distributed pamphlets describing what they called the reality of life under the Islamic Republic.
One of the central claims made by organizers was that more than 40,000 Iranians have died as a result of government repression, a figure they say reflects decades of political violence and crackdowns against dissent. 
A Wall of Faces
Perhaps the most striking feature of the demonstration was a series of large display boards covered with photographs of men, women, and young people.
Each image was accompanied by personal details, descriptions of alleged arrests, disappearances, or deaths, and testimonies from families and supporters.Passersby stopped frequently to read the stories. Some engaged in conversations with protesters, while others quietly examined the photographs before continuing on their way.
For organizers, the display was intended to transform statistics into human stories.
“We want people to see faces, not numbers,” one participant told Golden Page. “Every photograph here represents a life, a family, and a future that was taken away.”
“Imagine Living in Such a Country”
A pamphlet distributed during the rally painted a grim picture of conditions inside Iran. It asked readers to imagine living in a country where thousands of protesters could allegedly be killed in a matter of days, where internet access could be cut off during periods of unrest, and where citizens could face imprisonment for expressing political views.
The leaflet also highlighted claims of persecution against women, journalists, students, trade union activists, lawyers, and religious minorities.
“Imagine living in a country where women are imprisoned, tortured, raped, or killed simply because they protested.”
Another section argues that executions remain a regular feature of the judicial system and alleges that political opponents continue to face intimidation both inside and outside Iran. The pamphlet concludes by urging European governments, including France, to sever diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic and support efforts to increase international pressure on Iranian authorities.
Why Bordeaux?
While Bordeaux is best known internationally for its wine industry and cultural heritage, it has also become home to a diverse international community, including Iranians, students, academics, and political refugees. Several demonstrators explained that holding events in prominent public spaces helps ensure that discussions about human rights remain visible.
For many participants, the gathering was as much about remembrance as it was about advocacy. “We are here because many people inside Iran cannot speak freely,” one demonstrator said. “We can speak here, so we feel a responsibility to do so.”
A Debate Beyond Iran
The Bordeaux demonstration reflects a broader debate taking place across Europe about how democratic countries should engage with governments accused of human rights violations. Supporters of the movement argue that stronger diplomatic and economic pressure is necessary. Others maintain that continued diplomatic engagement remains essential for dialogue and international stability.
What is clear is that the issue continues to resonate far beyond Iran’s borders. As tourists, residents, and shoppers crossed the square on a sunny afternoon in Bordeaux, the photographs, banners, and testimonies served as a reminder that struggles over freedom, justice, and political rights often become global conversations.
What distinguished Sunday’s gathering was not its size but its determination. Protesters spent hours speaking with strangers, sharing stories, and encouraging public discussion. Whether one agrees with their political position or not, the demonstration succeeded in drawing attention to a cause that participants believe the world should not ignore.
Photo Credits: Golden Page Daily News (on location, Bordeaux)
Reporting: Golden Page Correspondent, Bordeaux, France
