The protest was held a few days after some Austinites who were stranded in the Middle East returned home.

AUSTIN, Texas — As the war with Iran enters its second week, some Austinites with ties to the country are continuing to call for political change in their homeland. 

Demonstrators gathered Sunday, chanting, “Hey! Hey! Ho, ho! Islamic regime has got to go!” as they voiced support for democratic reforms in Iran. 

The protests came after a turbulent weekend during which the son of Iran’s supreme leader was named his successor and a new round of strikes was launched across the Middle East. 

“We want freedom from Islamic Republic. We want democracy in Iran,” said Fara Gol, an Austin resident who has family in Iran. 

At the rally, some protesters also praised President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu for their roles in the conflict. 

“Why [shouldn’t the president] do it?” asked Sam Taorkashvand, another Austin resident with family in Iran. “[President Trump] did, actually, what should [have] happened a long time ago. Finally, he made a decision that he should cut the head of the snake and made the Middle East peaceful.”

The conflict has caused widespread travel disruptions, with flight cancellations and heightened travel advisories to and from the Middle East.

Earlier in the week, Austinite Amber Manzanilla returned home after being stranded in Dubai. 

“It feels surreal to be back,” Manzanilla said. “The best part was reuniting with my children.”

Manzanilla said she was fortunate to secure a direct flight through an airline. 

The U.S. State Department had said it was offering ground transportation and charter flights to help Americans depart the affected areas. 

“I think the government is making it sound like they’re doing a lot, but I don’t see it yet,” Manzanilla said. “So, I personally, now that I think I’ve been back a few days, I’m starting to reacclimate. I want to make sure that I continue to be a voice of some sort, a push to make sure that something’s happening for anyone who’s still stuck over there.”

While Manzanilla processes her return home, other Austinites say they will plan to keep using their voices to call for change in Iran.