Police estimated that around 25,000 people took part in several Iran-related demonstrations across Frankfurt on Saturday, 7 November. Most gathered in Ostpark, and police said the events ended peacefully.
The demonstrations coincided with the 2026 Freedom Prize ceremony at Frankfurt’s Paulskirche. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom awarded the prize to the Iranian people for the first time, rather than to an individual. Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi accepted it as a trustee until freely elected representatives of Iran can receive it.
Foundation chairman Steffen Saebisch said the award belonged to no group, party or individual, but to the Iranian people. The foundation said it sought to honour those risking their lives for freedom, democracy and human dignity in Iran, particularly women and young people.
Police put attendance across the city at about 25,000. Organisers of the main gathering in Ostpark, however, estimated that around 50,000 people had attended there. The figures reflect different estimates and are not directly comparable.
Supporters of Pahlavi and groups critical of his political role held separate gatherings in Frankfurt. The city had moved the main rally from Weseler Werft to Ostpark for safety and capacity reasons.
