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Protesters have gathered in cities around the world in recent days to show solidarity with women in Iran.
The rallies echo protests that have erupted in Iran since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by the country’s so-called vice police.
Whether in Istanbul or Los Angeles, the protests are marked by the vivid words and images that characterize protests rocking Iran: the chants of “Women, Life, Freedom! and in some cases, women taking scissors through their hair.
“When an Iranian woman sees what happened to Mahsa, she thinks it could have happened to her because it’s hard to find an Iranian woman who hasn’t been warned, detained or harassed by the morality police. “, said Golnaz Esfandiari, senior correspondent for Radio Free Europe. /Radio Liberty, told NPR last week. “So we all know we’ve all had that experience.”
“I was talking to several women in Iran, and they said to me, look, even though she wasn’t tortured, but she probably died of fear. She had a heart attack from fear. Because they know how scary it is,” Esfandiari said. said.
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Istanbul
In Turkey’s most populous city, hundreds of people reportedly gathered on Sunday to protest against the Iranian government.
Many Iranians were among those who protested, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
washington d.c.
In Washington, protesters gathered in Farragut Square, holding signs and chanting Amini’s name.
There was also a candlelight vigil outside the White House on Saturday night in support of anti-government protesters in Iran.
“This era is different because, in my opinion, it’s led by women. Women are the revolutionaries in this era, in this time in history,” protester Aref Alvandi said at the DC rally, according to ABC. News.
“The people of Iran are not backing down. The Iranian regime has miscalculated its resolve to change this regime, and we are calling on the White House to do the same,” protester Ramesh Sepehrrad told NBC News’ DC affiliate.
Last week on Capitol Hill, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution condemning Amini’s detention and death. The resolution calls on the Iranian government “to end its systemic persecution of women.”
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Los Angeles
The Los Angeles metro area is home to a large Iranian immigrant population — more than a third of the Iranian-American population lives in the area, LAist reports.
A march through the city center ended at City Hall. The marchers played drums, shouted “Free Iran”, held Iranian flags and waved signs with messages such as “No to the Islamic Republic” and “Freedom for Iran”.
Thousands gather in downtown Los Angeles to protest for women’s rights in Iran pic.twitter.com/GuRcPyAXT1
— Brian Feinzimer (@bfeinzimer) October 1, 2022
San Francisco
Thousands of people marched in San Francisco on Saturday in support of the Iranian protests.
Nazanin Balsa, an Iranian living in the United States, told NPR that Amini’s death is heartbreaking, but not surprising.
“I was dragged with my hair down the street because I didn’t wear my hijab properly. And I know how they can kill you. It’s not very shocking to me, but I’m glad the world realize how brutal this diet is,” Balsa said.
During the protests, marchers chanted Amini’s names and held up pictures – some of Amini’s, while others held photos of loved ones arrested or missing in Iran.
Afghanistan
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In Kabul last week, about 30 women wearing headscarves protested outside the Iranian Embassy chanting “Women, Life, Freedom,” according to Voice of America.
But Taliban security forces forcefully dispersed the protests, tearing down banners and firing into the air, Voice of America reported.
“We are sure that one day our people will rise up in the same way as the people of Iran,” a protester told the media on condition of anonymity.
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Paris
In the French capital, several feminist groups organized a demonstration in support of Iranian women on Friday evening, calling on President Emmanuel Macron to take action.
“Internet access has been limited in Iran, so we have a role to play in relaying the messages of Iranian men and women here and amplifying their actions,” Fabienne El-Khoury, spokesperson for the feminist group, told France24. Dare Feminism.
“When we protest here [in France], we do not fear for our lives. We salute the courage of Iranian women who are playing their part by taking to the streets and continuing to come out publicly to call for equality and social justice in a country where women’s bodies are controlled by the state.” she added.