Stand With the Women of Iran
A new banner spanning 3 stories at the front entrance of Packard Lofts at Olympic and Hope says, “Stand with the women of Iran. Woman. Life. Freedom. #MahsaAmini.” It’s a bid for solidarity with the women in Iran facing unimaginable crime and persecution and need the world’s support.
The Iranian-born woman responsible for the banner in South Park, who wishes to remain anonymous because the banner represents the voice of all women, stressed that it’s important for us (in the US) to be the voice and raise awareness to what is happening because Iranians are being cut off from the outside world. She says this is one of the most important women-led revolutions in history, women want freedom of choice without regulation and persecution, and foreign leaders need to act.
Over two months have passed since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran. Amini was arrested by the government’s religious morality police for not wearing the mandatory hijab properly. She was severely beaten and tortured and died two days later. Her death resulted in ongoing protests and civil unrest against the Iranian government and mandatory hijab law. The government’s response - create internet blackouts and social media restrictions. As of November 29th, at least 448 protesters, including 63 children, have been killed. Almost 16,000 have been detained, and 3 people have been sentenced to death.
A friend, a young woman in Iran, said “I experience layers of personal traumas when I am on the street. I don’t wear the mandatory hijab anymore … slowly more women stopped wearing it. This small act brought me the power to believe in change. Partaking in protests is traumatizing, seeing my friends being detained, injured, and killed right in front of my eyes, but I feel powerful standing by my sisters and brothers. It’s exhausting to keep fighting, we will not give up until we get Iran back. The frontline of this revolution are the young girls who are willing to change the course of the world or die on the path to making it happen.”
To donate to a valuable organization, visit iranhumanrights.org.
To sign a petition urging democratic leaders to act, visit change.org (search: women life freedom).
By Aileen Coyle