Mission Statement

The Lion and Sun Student Association (LSSA) was founded by a group of Iranian-Canadian students at the University of Toronto from diverse ethnic, linguistic, religious, cultural, and political backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, secularism, and human rights for the people of Iran under the leadership and vision of transitional leader Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

The foundation of this association is rooted in the resilience of the Iranian people throughout forty-seven years of resistance against the Islamic Republic, the current theocratic regime ruling Iran. Inspired by the courage of those who have risked and lost their lives in pursuit of liberty, dignity, and national sovereignty, we recognize the ongoing struggle for a free Iran as one of the defining human rights movements of our generation.

In particular, we acknowledge the immense sacrifices made during the recent Lion and Sun Revolution during which hundreds of thousands of Iranians were killed, injured, imprisoned, and subjected to state repression for demanding fundamental freedoms and democratic change. Despite continuous brutal crackdowns, the flame of this revolution remains alive both within Iran and across the global Iranian diaspora.

The purpose of the Lion and Sun Student Association is to advocate for a free, democratic, and secular Iran that reflects the will of the Iranian people. We support Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the transitional leader for Iran and believe in a democratic transition that allows Iranians to determine their own future through free choice. Our mission is to amplify the voices of Iranians fighting for freedom by raising awareness about human rights abuses committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including and not limited to executions, arbitrary arrests, torture, and political repression, while honouring those who have lost their lives in the fight for freedom.

Our advocacy is guided by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s four core principles: Iran’s territorial integrity, separation of religion and state, equality of all citizens under the law & individual liberties, and the right of the Iranian people to democratically determine their future. Believing that Iran’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, we are committed to fostering solidarity among Iranian and Iranian-Canadian students at the University of Toronto and the broader community by creating an inclusive space that welcomes individuals from all ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Through dialogue, advocacy, cultural events, and student support, we aim to strengthen the Iranian student community on campus.

As students in the Iranian diaspora, we pledge to stand in solidarity with the people of Iran until the achievement of freedom, democracy, secular governance, and the right of the Iranian people to determine their own future through free and fair democratic choice.