We, the undersigned residents of New Mexico, stand in solidarity with the people of Iran who are courageously demanding freedom, human rights, and regime change. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing repression and violent crackdowns carried out by the Iranian regime against peaceful protesters.

We urge U.S. leaders to recognize the Iranian people’s right to determine their own political future, including their right to pursue peaceful regime transition. We further call on U.S. officials to engage with Prince Reza Pahlavi as a leading transitional figure for many Iranians seeking a secular, democratic future for their country.

We strongly condemn the large-scale killings of anti-government protesters across Iran. During the January 8–9 protests alone, reports indicate that tens of thousands of civilians were killed or detained. Thousands have been arrested, with many facing execution or prolonged imprisonment. These actions represent a grave violation of fundamental human rights and demand urgent international attention.

We urge our federal representatives to stand clearly and publicly with the Iranian people.

Our Requests to New Mexico’s Federal Representatives

1. Clear Condemnation of Repression and Support for Political Prisoners

We call for consistent and unequivocal public condemnation of violent crackdowns, mass arrests, executions, and human rights abuses. We urge active advocacy for the immediate release of political prisoners and accountability for those responsible for repression.

We are particularly concerned by credible reports that authorities have targeted minority communities, including members of the Baha’i faith, solely because of their religion. Such persecution constitutes a serious violation of international human rights standards and must be firmly condemned.

2. Public Recognition of the Iranian People’s Right to Regime Change

We urge U.S. leaders to publicly recognize the Iranian people’s right to determine their own political future, including their right to pursue peaceful regime transition through the Lion and Sun movement. Supporting the Iranian people’s aspirations for democratic change is not only a moral position, it is also firmly aligned with the national security and economic interests of the United States. A transition to a stable, secular, and democratic Iran would contribute to regional stability, reduce threats posed by state-sponsored extremism and destabilizing activities, and open the door to more constructive economic engagement in the future.

We further call on U.S. officials to formally recognize Prince Reza Pahlavi as a leading transitional figure of this movement and to engage with him as a legitimate representative voice for many Iranians seeking a secular, democratic Iran.

3. Military Measures to Protect Civilians

We urge U.S. leadership to halt negotiations that legitimize the current regime and to consider credible military pressure to deter further violence, weaken the regime’s capacity for repression, and protect civilians who are effectively held hostage by state forces.

4. Support for Free Access to Information

We ask the U.S. government to expand support for internet access, anti-censorship technologies, and secure communication tools that enable Iranians to bypass state-imposed blackouts and surveillance and safely share information with the international community.

Closing: 

The people of Iran are risking their lives for freedom, dignity, and a democratic future. As residents of New Mexico and the United States, we believe our elected officials have a moral responsibility to stand clearly and decisively with them. We respectfully urge our federal representatives to publicly recognize the Iranian people’s right to political transition, engage with Prince Reza Pahlavi as a leading transitional figure for many who seek a secular, democratic Iran, and take meaningful action consistent with the principles outlined above. We request a clear public statement and concrete steps reflecting these commitments.