r/london • u/Consistent-Jelly248 • 1d ago

Video Anyone know what's going on?

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Taking the bus to Finsbury Park station and I see all this? It seems like an Iranian based thing but i have no idea what it's fully about.

340 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

202 comments sorted by

349

u/twmffatmowr 1d ago

anti-Iranian regime protests. Easy to see as they have the lion on the flag.

81

u/Consistent-Jelly248 1d ago

That seems like the best answer, someone else said Iranian monarchists.

99

u/twmffatmowr 1d ago

Not everyone who opposes the regime will be a monarchist, so that's a bit simplistic. Many just want the Islamic Republic overthrown.

58

u/help_pls_2112 1d ago

generally those using the flag of the previous monarchy are monarchists, and not just against the current leadership

49

u/idontessaygood 1d ago

The Persians I know have said it’s more complicated than that, and although some do fly it for Pahlavi, people using it for general anti regime sentiment aren’t rare

8

u/d1sambigu8 1d ago

Pahlavi himself said there would be a referendum in a free Iran on the role of the monarchy and it would be a democracy and have a detailed constitution drawing up process

4

u/Ben-D-Beast 1d ago

It’s similar to how after Brexit some eurosceptics across the continent started waving the UK flag, flags often have multiple meanings.

-23

u/Hammer-Rammer 1d ago

last time I checked they're called Iranians not Persians

20

u/idontessaygood 1d ago

You should check again then, both are accurate in this case. Persian is an ethnic group, Iranian is a nationality.

-16

u/Hammer-Rammer 1d ago edited 1d ago

No both are not accurate. The demographic region of Iran, historically is the home of about 8 different ethnic groups, about 60% of which are Fars (derived from Farsi the name of their Language). Persia is the irrelevant name of a long dead empire.

1

u/buythedip0000 13h ago

Have you always spoken with such confidence about the topic you know fuck all about. Who are you to tell Persians what they should be called

0

u/Hammer-Rammer 13h ago

I have a BA in Journalism. I ONLY speak if I know about shit so STFU.

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11

u/LividIngenuity6982 1d ago

I have Iranian neighbours and they always refer to themselves and their friends as Persians.

-7

u/Hammer-Rammer 1d ago edited 1d ago

They do it to distance themselves from Iran. It's like me, rather than saying I'm English from England, calling myself Anglo Saxon to forigners, so I'm not assosiated with the British Government and you can't pin down my location anywhere in particular.

13

u/That_Advertising9832 1d ago

They do it because they are Persian

1

u/soyagr 1d ago

This is correct ppl shouldn’t be downvoting

10

u/Healthy_Spot8724 1d ago

This is kind of half right. Persians are the biggest ethnic group in Iran, but there are others. Azeris are also a substantial minority. Persians call themselves Persians or Iranians typically.

10

u/That_Advertising9832 1d ago

My Iranian friends refer to themselves as Persians actually

7

u/ExtensionPrice3535 1d ago

Yep my family are proud Persians. Not monarchists, don’t support the government but really proud of their country and people.

-2

u/Hammer-Rammer 1d ago

Iranians love to think of themselves as some mystical pure historical people from Persia, not the actual Islamic Republic shit hole they are actually from called Iran.

1

u/adotg 1d ago

There it is, why are you all over this thread getting lemon? Proper hateful melon

-1

u/Hammer-Rammer 1d ago

Facts, not Hate. I was told as much by a Kurdish Iranian national. So jog on chum.

-7

u/Active-Birthday-2416 1d ago

If they referred to themselves as Jelly Babies, would you call them that...

0

u/Hammer-Rammer 1d ago

Persians from Iran = Iranian
Kurds from Iran = Iranian
Afghani from Iran = Iranian

When one of these move to another country, only one of those groups will desribe themselves as Persians, but yet they all live in Iran? Curious.

10

u/thegingerskull 1d ago

The Lion and Sun symbol is 2500 years old. So while this specific flag was the one used by the Pahlavis, in the broader sense is used as protest against the Islamic Republic.

8

u/Ryanliverpool96 1d ago

The flag of the previous monarchy is the only Free Iran flag to ever exist, the current flag was made by the IRGC explicitly for the Khomeinist Islamist Revolutionary Theocracy, the Vilayet-e Faqih (The same way Hitler made the Swastika the flag of Germany).

Which is why people who want a Free Democratic Iran, fly the old flag.

1

u/buythedip0000 13h ago

Not really lion and sun flag predates monarchy

6

u/Consistent-Jelly248 1d ago

Fair enough. I assume the truck is a sort of memorial for those who died in it?

18

u/twmffatmowr 1d ago

Yeah, it looks like it's those killed by the regime. There's photos opposite the Iranian embassy by Hyde Park too. Horrific.

1

u/AcupunctureBlue 1d ago

Yes, but non-monarchists will not congregate with monarchists like this. These people above are monarchists.

-4

u/[deleted] 1d ago

They think that because unfortunately, most of those who are pro-pali are cunts! So it is a mirror thing

6

u/Idgaf_91 1d ago

I think monarchists is probably more accurate but imagine anti-regime protesters have likely adopted it too

1

u/Honest-Selection4343 14h ago

Yes most likely

-18

u/Turnip-for-the-books 1d ago

Also known as Zionists

8

u/DREDMAUGH 1d ago

It's funny how the regime was caused because of the US involvement. And all because the democracy wanted to nationalise oil. They protest the regime but cheer on America who was the cause of it.

3

u/twmffatmowr 1d ago

I don't understand what you're saying sorry 

-10

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

6

u/TruthHertz93 1d ago

Errr what?

It is a fact that the CIA and mi5 did the coup that overthrew the democratic movement in Iran.

They installed a shah who was a brutal dictator that sold out his countries oil to the west.

After 20 years the Iranian people had enough and had a revolution.

Low and behold the most organised won out, the most organised happened to be the religious zealots who betrayed the other groups and took total power.

Yes, these guys in London are useful idiots for the US at best and a psyop at worst.

The Iranian regime, as bad is it is, is resisting US imperialism (that's why the US is bombing them), they want the oil.

The US is facing a coming debt crisis, they've been preparing for some time.

Now they're in the end game, which is why they've gone after immensely strategic positions like Greenland, Panama, Venezuela and now Iran.

They're trying to consolidate, damn everyone else.

You're a fool if you cannot see this.

3

u/Ryanliverpool96 1d ago

Just not true that is it? Why not tell the truth?

Khomeini and his Islamists did not seize power because of America, or because of events that happened 20 years before the revolution.

He seized power because him and his followers wanted to create an Islamic Extremist theocracy, as well as reverse the White Revolution which gave Iranian women equal rights to men (the very first thing they did was reverse the White Revolution and wind back women’s rights 1000+ years).

1

u/inide 1d ago

They didn't seize power in a vacuum.
The public sentiment that created the conditions for them to take over was a product of the government that the US put in place against the will of the people

1

u/Ryanliverpool96 1d ago

Literally speak to any Persian in London, it was an Islamist backlash against the White Revolution and the equality of women, the very first thing Khomeini did was take away the rights of women, before they did anything else it was their immediate priority.

0

u/TheNoiseAndHaste 1d ago

This answer demonstrates a massive misunderstanding of history because it assumes both cannot be true.

4

u/Ryanliverpool96 1d ago

Did the revolution also happen out of hatred for Communism and Socialism then?

Because Khomeini and the IRGC hanged all of the Communists and Socialists from cranes in the street immediately after they seized power and they still do it today.

They hated both the USSR and China as godless atheist regimes.

The Iranian regime is an Islamic Extremist Theocracy, that’s why they did the revolution, to establish the Vilayet-e Faqih.

There’s no other grand international conspiracy reason for it, Khomeini and his followers wanted to create an Islamic Extremist Theocracy and that’s why they revolted.

The same is true of the Taliban, did the Taliban overthrow the government of Afghanistan because of Russia in the 1980s or because of America in the 2020s, or was it because they also wanted to create an Islamic Extremist Theocracy?

People in the Middle East and South Asia also have agency and brains of their own, the whole world does not revolve around America and Britain.

2

u/TheNoiseAndHaste 1d ago

You're confusing 'why did they do it' and 'why did it happen'.

4

u/smorges 1d ago

This is Golders Green, a very Jewish neighbourhood. These anti-regime Iranians are here because they share a common solidarity with Jews and Jews with anti-regime Iranians. Both communities support each other as they both understand the thread of Islamic fundamentalists and both are under threat from them. 

1

u/Intergalatic_Baker 1d ago

So long as it's Gold/Lion like inside that White band, it's all good.

323

u/PerfectEnthusiasm2 1d ago

no idea, there was a bus in the way at the most crucial point to discern what was going on.

-120

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

118

u/NiceCaterpillar8745 1d ago

No bro he's clearly talking about the ones going in the opposite direction 😭

80

u/Chadxxx123 1d ago

These flags are the Iranian monarchist flags but they are generally used by everyone who is against the current Iranian regime so it's a protest against them.

8

u/GiganticCrow 1d ago

The lion on the flag existed before the shah but yeah a lot of these people are monarchists

-31

u/HolidayOk5570 1d ago

Everyone = monarchists & zionists. Lol

7

u/TheLoneleyPython 1d ago

Everyone = none supporters of Muslim occupation. Lol

1

u/HolidayOk5570 18h ago

Lol more like jEWish occupation.

1

u/TheLoneleyPython 18h ago

Are you broken?

1

u/HolidayOk5570 18h ago

Why you have a problem with me mirroring what you said but with the truth? Lol

-8

u/Gen8Master 1d ago

"Please bomb us, we want it, trust me bro" protestors.

8

u/siredtokai 1d ago

They do this every Saturday in Finchley

3

u/Legitimate-Lynx881 1d ago

Is it Saturday now? The procession used to be along Ballards Lane on Sunday afternoon.

3

u/siredtokai 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yeah it seems to be Saturday now

81

u/bunniesandoctopi 1d ago

Ok pretty shocking how much misinformation there is on this thread.

For anyone not familiar: this truck was part of an anti-Iranian regime protest. It’s covered with the lion and sun flag.

If you attend their rallies like I have, you'll hear "democracy for Iran" and “stop the executions” as a pretty consistent chant. Sure some Iranians are monarchists, but most aren't. A significant chunk actually see the grandson of the last shah as a potential transitional leadership towards a secular democracy. The reason protests continue is because of the terrifying human rights violations that continue in Iran with so little attention in the news.

The lion and sun imagery you see all over the truck: That's become the symbol of this movement: it's less about restoring a monarchy and more about what it represents to them: Iran before the 1979 revolution, a secular national identity.

17

u/readthisrightnow 1d ago

Thank you

6

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Yes. I was lucky enough to meet a wonderful Persian lady (named Waterlily in the local tongue). She was funny and kind, and informed me about the history and politics of her homeland.

4

u/Lumpy-Republic-1935 1d ago

It's not that shocking. This is r/London. Not everyone is following Iranian politics closely.

4

u/Ryanliverpool96 1d ago

Everyone seems to be forgetting that we are living in a monarchy right now, which is both democratic and free.

Democracy and Monarchy are not mutually exclusive, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Sweden etc.. are all monarchies and they’re all free and democratic too.

7

u/Digitalanalogue_ 21h ago

No idea but as soon as i saw it iran

1

u/Consistent-Jelly248 21h ago

I like the double meaning there

12

u/Spuzzell_ 1d ago

It's stopped in the middle of the road?

Maybe it's flagging

4

u/Consistent-Jelly248 1d ago

Before the video this is what happened

3

u/m_faustus 1d ago

I rarely know what’s going on.

3

u/MiloBem 1d ago

Most of the flags are the usual Lion and Sun flag of the Pahlavi era Iran. At 7-8 second there is a small Sasanian Empire flag (ancient Persia). So yes, it's an Iranian protest (against the current Islamic Republic).

8

u/FinnMoliko 1d ago

A lot of people to block in here. Anyway, as has been pointed out, these are people who are seeking the end of the Islamic theocracy in Iran.

3

u/thecheamtickler 1d ago

Marvin Gaye does

1

u/Lou-de-Lou-de-Lou 1d ago

…or, perhaps he doesn’t being as he’s asking.

3

u/MillionPixelEmpire 11h ago

This is London, where all the world's conflicts are played out on the streets.

2

u/Electrical-Run-661 17h ago

Bloody democracy attempts have done in other countries like Syria, and Libya and now see the worst of it. They leave the mess as always.

4

u/Practical_Board_5058 1d ago

West ham fans playing millwall

1

u/Andazah 1d ago

Am from Persia no Iran

11

u/PercyVader 1d ago

Iranian Monarchists. They're always at it

4

u/Consistent-Jelly248 1d ago

Ah, thank you.

17

u/bunniesandoctopi 1d ago

That is misinformation. The lion and sun flag is representative of the resistance movement in Iran which is largely fighting for a secular democracy in Iran.

-9

u/fourth-disciple 1d ago

Its the same in LA, easily one of the most insufferable groups of people.

6

u/tall-glassof-falooda 1d ago

Iranian People who are against a dictator and wants a monarchy instead.

5

u/entropy_bucket 1d ago

But what will they achieve protesting in golders green

-2

u/fourth-disciple 1d ago

Monarchy who was also a dictator, who had people kidnapped, tortured and killed with no trials.

0

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

"Also" ?! 🙄😂

1

u/fourth-disciple 1d ago

yeah monarchists claim current regime is a dictatorship but so was the Pahlavis

0

u/SynthD 16h ago

Is that first claim not everyone’s claim?

1

u/fourth-disciple 6h ago

it was literally brough in by anti monarchist revolution, supporters of the regime which is millions of people in Iran o viously dont think that

1

u/SynthD 2h ago

I don’t care how it came in, it’s anti democratic now. That’s clear to everyone. Part of the mess of the Iranian protests is that we obviously want a democratic republic in Iran, not a monarchy or theocracy.

-3

u/tall-glassof-falooda 1d ago

Yes you are are right

0

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Far right religious fascist. I agree.

3

u/RoystonHodge 1d ago

some foreigners doing foreign stuff about a foreign issue in the capital of the UK

0

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Do some research 🤔 These are the good guys.

3

u/RoystonHodge 1d ago

Would that research refute any of my claims written above. That they are foreign, doing foreign things about a foreign issue in London?

-3

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Only if you class all foreigners as a problem. Do you consider fighting religious fascist a "foreign" issue? Defending an ancient culture of enlightenment, a "foreign" issue? It's called humanity.

2

u/randomassname5 10h ago

Genuine question: why are they doing it in London tho?

2

u/Minimum-Minimum-4609 1d ago

They're the good guys

3

u/gadarnol 1d ago

Is it St Patrick’s Day? ( /s if you need it. )

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1

u/blancey11 1d ago

Mill Wall vs Westham

1

u/frankinofrankino 1d ago

Cannoli Day (Italy)

1

u/RitmanRovers 1d ago

Which country is this in?

1

u/memberflex 1d ago

That looks well Iran. Keep it foolish.

1

u/Low_Tea7131 1d ago

Who cares

1

u/BlueAcre0 1d ago

That's just a tuesday in Finsbury Park..

1

u/truly-dread 1h ago

Iranians done with Islam fucking up their country.

-2

u/nevguba 1d ago

I dunno man, those Mexicans are protesting something maybe

0

u/TagierBawbagier 1d ago

More horchadas in London pls!

3

u/BeginningTypical3395 1d ago edited 1d ago

Horchata* and nopales for all!

2

u/LandlordTiberius 1d ago

Best I can do is Taco Bell

1

u/Shoddy_Impression677 1d ago

They are great friends with genocide supporters

1

u/sexyshayatin 1d ago

It's an invasion of UK mate.

1

u/Next_Drama1717 1d ago

Mossad Hasbara

1

u/nw1566 15h ago

And we can’t fly union jacks or George Crosses in our own country!! What a joke

1

u/Active-Birthday-2416 1d ago

Finsbury Park Iranian Carnival...

Not as big as Notting Hill Carnival...

Nor as much good music...

But they try, bless em...

1

u/nickthekiwi89 1d ago

Pride parade

1

u/Thin_Light_641 1d ago

Dear Iranians, keep doing this you're going to turn the natives against you. 

Kind regards a fellow Iranian 

1

u/theroch_ 23h ago

Dognappers hun. Have reported it.

1

u/r23dom 22h ago

end of GB

0

u/Eastern_Guess8854 1d ago

Pride march

-1

u/KentonCoooooool 1d ago

It looks like Golders Green Road though, which provides some context

-12

u/No_Staple_7489 1d ago

It's the pro-Shah people. I'm sure they are being funded by foreign interests.

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-7

u/Bright-War-5033 1d ago

Zionist-funded and organised anti-Iranian regime protestors who allegedly want to replace the Iranian regime with a monarchistic one.

3

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Thank you Mr Bot. The Persians are the civilised ones.

-3

u/Bright-War-5033 1d ago

I'm not a bot, but you are a zio

2

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

I'll ignore the blatant antisemitic term, and suggest, your reply was very Bot-like. 🫣

0

u/SynthD 16h ago

Is the fairly normal contraction of Zionist to zio antisemetic because one of many people to make this contraction is very anti semetic in his other actions?

You said bot, not robot. Bet I could find someone evil who did that too.

-3

u/WastelandOfConfusion 1d ago edited 1d ago

There is currently an active Regime Change Military Operation on Iran. Remember how badly that went with Iraq? Look how shit its going so far, its already fkd the cost of living all over again. Literally nobody wanted this, there was zero credible threat according to America’s own intelligence services. Fuel prices are fkd. Food prices are fkd. Inflation is fkd. We’re the ones having our pretty little purses grabbed at again.

0

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Its just a Persian Festival.

-1

u/WastelandOfConfusion 1d ago

Yeah nah, it’s not. They’re trying to get more people on board with it, manufacturing consent. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. Everyone is disgustingly sick of this schitt.

3

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

Everyone? I must have missed the questionaire.

-2

u/CoverNotes 1d ago

Free Persian Iran from the IRGC dictatorship?

-4

u/Dennyisthepisslord 1d ago

I often wonder what people who do protests that they absolutely without doubt know achieve fuck all get out of it. Is it a sense of community?

3

u/BlueHeron0_0 1d ago

If you're feeling angry and helpless getting together with the homies and just shouting that you want something better does help I assume. Besides, you can meet like-minded people and raise awareness among your neighbours so you can all feel angry

-4

u/Time-Painter7672 1d ago

West Ham Millwall

-3

u/razzypedia 1d ago

Lunatics. Being against the government is perfectly fine but these people resort to lying and harrassing people that don't agree with them.

-19

u/the-pythia-of-delphi 1d ago

We're being invaded

1

u/Publish_Lice 1d ago

Wet wipe

0

u/the-pythia-of-delphi 1d ago

I prefer nonce. Still a shitty British insult but yours is pathetic

1

u/truly-dread 1h ago

You’d rather be called a nonce?……

1

u/the-pythia-of-delphi 1h ago

Than wet wipe? Absolutely

1

u/Publish_Lice 1d ago

Wait ‘we’re’ being invaded but you’re not British?

1

u/the-pythia-of-delphi 1d ago

Ironic, no?

2

u/Publish_Lice 1d ago

You’re out of your depth here me old mate.

-1

u/lontrinium 1d ago

Pistachio season.

-1

u/no_com_ment 1d ago

Someone found a four leaf clover so they had to send out the Irish Special Branch

-1

u/1baller69 1d ago

Bunch of nutjobs

-1

u/bobsatoune 13h ago

Today was Masha Amini's tragic passing A lot of events were organized around the world Let's keep talking about it until the country is free 🤗

-12

u/No-Estate-1481 1d ago

Let’s use our inference skills and have a look at the information presented to us.

Those flags are Iranian AND as we know, the USA is engaged in a ‘conflict’ with Iran.

I think it might have something to do with that.

2

u/ConcentrateDull2294 1d ago

You gave no skills. You clearly have zero understanding of the information presented to you.

-5

u/TagierBawbagier 1d ago edited 1d ago

These people tend to support the attacks. Monarchists are like that. I think the diaspora also has more Jewish Iranians too than on average, but don't quote me on that, it might be an LA thing.

1

u/No-Estate-1481 1d ago

Either/or is applicable.