The Iranian people are openly calling for Reza Shah II to replace the Islamic Republic as the leader and symbol of Iran’s national will.

Iranian Montrealers rallied in the downtown core Saturday afternoon in a show of support for the people of Iran. Over the past two weeks, the country has been rocked by massive protests that began over Iran's ailing economy and continue to be fueled by anger toward the regime.

As exiled Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi encourages people in Iran to protest, the death toll is rising. When asked by CBS News' Norah O'Donnell if he bears some responsibility for the loss of life,

From the seventh of Dey, the people of Iran once again stood before bullets and batons, chanting the name of the Shah.

Exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi has urged the public not to “go back,” calling for the overthrow of Iran’s ruling system amid nationwide protests. Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, has become a vocal voice supporting demonstrators and pressing for regime change as unrest grows across the country.

For several nights in a row, antigovernment protests have rocked Iran, as a government crackdown intensifies. This weekend, protesters around the world showed their solidarity for the people of Iran and demanded world leaders take action.

As more protests broke out in Tehran and other cities, Iran said on Sunday (January 11) it would strike back against U.S. military bases and Israel if President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to attack Iran to protect protesters.