In ‘Tehrangeles,’ Iran’s LA Diaspora Watches War From Afar
Home to one of the world’s largest Iranian communities, Los Angeles reacted with joy and fear as the US and Israel began a bombing campaign.
Sophie Kiani joins hundreds in a rally seeking regime change in Iran in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Feb. 28.
Photographer: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesThere was jubilation in Tehrangeles following news of the death of Iran’s leaders. On Feb. 28 and March 1, thousands of demonstrators danced along Westwood Boulevard on LA’s Westside, home to the largest concentration of Iranians outside the motherland.
Several days after the start of the US and Israeli airstrikes, the main thoroughfare of the city’s Iranian diaspora was still lined with red, white and green Lion and Sun flags, a symbol of the pre-Islamic Revolution monarchy and, for many, an emblem of defiance. Posters bearing photos of Iranians alongside the words “Murdered by Islamic Regime of Iran” were wrapped around light posts, and a “Make Iran Great Again” sign hung in the window of Naab Cafe.