Why Join the Network?
If you are part of the Iranian diaspora, you have most likely felt the gap of institutions for Iranians abroad at some point in your journey. While some institutions that claim to represent a large percentage of Iranians abroad exist, they tend to either misrepresent the reality of Iran or are limited in their reach.
In the United States, the group that claims to be the largest organization for the diaspora is NIAC. Meanwhile, NIAC was called the regime’s lobby both by Iranians abroad, at home, and even on the Islamic Republic’s own television. Even then, NIAC reportedly has fewer than 100,000 members, meaning that it doesn’t even represent one percent of the Iranian population outside of Iran.
It is clear that our diaspora is in need of an organization that is large enough to have real momentum, and has a clear history without any ties to the Islamic Republic and a clear stance in support of the Iranian people. If this resonates with you, then joining Lion & Sun Network is the right choice.
We aim to create the largest worldwide network of Iranians who believe in the following principles:
- I. Commitment to Iran’s territorial integrity
- II. Protection of individual liberties and equal citizenship
- III. Separation of religion and state
- IV. The right of the Iranian people to determine their own political future
Our first steps are creating chapters in universities, to combat misinformation and host educational events; in cities, to support demonstrations and raise awareness about Iran; registering existing Iranian businesses that support our principles; and registering individual Iranians from all walks of life.
Aside from our current plans for educational events and fundraising, we have an ambitious but achievable vision for the future of our organization. Some aspects of our vision include:
- Hosting in-diaspora elections
- Establishing Lion & Sun houses in large cities with dedicated libraries, classrooms, and offices, and hosting continued programming related to Iran and the diaspora
- Assisting new members of the diaspora with legal issues, financial hardship, or finding mentors and communities
- Supporting legislation and other legal policies that restrict the regime’s access to our diaspora, weaken its reach in the region, and support the Iranian people
If you have already established a group in your state or city, or if you are a leader of a larger group in your country, and are wondering if joining the Network is beneficial for you, here is what you should consider:
When you register as a chapter, you are not required to change anything about your current organization. You are not required to disclose that you are a Lion & Sun chapter, or change your name and description to reflect anything related to our name and organization. We are here to serve as a connective tissue and supporting force.
When you register as a chapter, whether a city community, university chapter, business, or any other category, you can request any type of support from us. Our goal is to protect, develop, and advance the Iranian diaspora. If your student group is having difficulties finding speakers, we are able to send you recognized speakers who can speak on your campus about Iran, without representing the regime’s narrative. If your city has weekly protests and you are dealing with financial issues, we are able to assist you within our capacity. If you have a business or offer a service and are a member, we are able to refer your business to other Network members who may benefit from your services. If you are a new member of the diaspora, or a journalist or activist, and are facing legal issues, we are able to assist you to the best of our ability.
Still have doubts? Contact us with your questions at [email protected].