Protests in Iran spark solidarity rallies in US and Europe

Protesters around the world took to the streets in solidarity to show international support for protesters facing a violent government crackdown in Iran, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in United States police custody. customs of this country.

Amini was arrested on September 13 in Tehran for « inappropriate dress » and died three days later in hospital, sparking waves of protests in which more than 200 people died, including teenage girls.

On the US National Mall, thousands of women and men of all ages – dressed in green, white and red, the colors of the Iranian flag – chanted. « Be afraid. Be afraid. We are one, » some shouted ahead of the group’s march to the White House. « Say his name! » Mahsha!

The protests, organized by local organizers from across the United States, drew Iranians from across the Washington, DC area, with some traveling from Toronto to join the crowds.

People attend a protest against the Iranian regime, in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, October 22, 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Islamic Republic’s notorious ‘morality police’.
(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

In Los Angeles, home to the largest population of Iranians outside of Iran, a crowd of protesters formed a slow procession along the blocks of a closed downtown street. They sang for the downfall of the Iranian government and waved hundreds of Iranian flags that turned the horizon into an undulating wave of red, white and green.

« We want freedom, » they thundered in unison.

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Shooka Scharm, a lawyer born in the United States after her parents fled the Iranian revolution, wore a t-shirt with the slogan « Women, Life, Freedom » in English and Farsi.

A man gestures as people attend a protest against the Iranian regime, in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, October 22, 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the notorious ‘morality police of the Islamic Republic.
(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

In Iran, « women are like second-class citizens, and they’re fed up, » Scharm said.

She said women can be arrested for wearing the wrong color of makeup, historically significant women are omitted from the books, and have few rights in areas such as divorce and child custody. Iranian women « stand against incredible obstacles for basic human rights ».

People attend a protest against the Iranian regime, in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, October 22, 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Islamic Republic’s notorious ‘morality police’.
(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Biden administration has said it condemns the brutality and repression against Iranian citizens and will seek ways to impose more sanctions against the Iranian government if the violence continues.

Last month at the United Nations General Assembly, President Biden alluded to the protest over Amini’s death and said the United States stands with the « brave women of Iran who are protesting in this moment to guarantee their fundamental rights ».

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In an Oct. 3 press release, Biden said the United States is working to make it easier for Iranians to access the internet, « including facilitating greater access to secure outside platforms and services. »

Hundreds of people attend a rally Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Washington as part of a show of international support for protesters facing a violent government crackdown in Iran, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody. of this the morality police of the country.
(AP Photo/Farnoush Amiri)

In Tehran, other anti-government demonstrations took place on Saturday in several universities. The national movement in Iran first focused on compulsory hijab covering for women after Amini’s death on September 16. The Iranian protests have since turned into the biggest challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2009 Green Movement over a disputed election.

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In Berlin, nearly 40,000 people came to show their solidarity with the women and activists who have been leading the movement for several weeks in Iran. The protests in the German capital, organized by the Woman’s Life Freedom Collective, began at the Victory Column in Berlin’s Tiergarten park and continued as a march through central Berlin.

Some protesters said they had come from elsewhere in Germany and other European countries to show their support.

« It’s so important for us to be here, to be the voice of the Iranian people, who are being killed in the streets, » said Shakib Lolo, who is originally from Iran but lives in the Netherlands. « And it’s no longer a protest, it’s a revolution, in Iran. And the people of the world have to see it. »

People carry a sign that reads « Woman, Life, Freedom, » as hundreds gather Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Washington, D.C. during a show of international support for protesters facing a violent government crackdown in Iran, sparked by the death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini, is being held by that country’s vice squad.
(AP Photo/Farnoush Amiri)

In Paris, thousands of people gathered to show their support for Iranian citizens.

In October, Iranian women, French feminist groups and politicians were among those who joined the rally in Place de la République before marching through eastern Paris.

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« Woman, Life, Freedom! » chanted the crowd. Some banners read: « Freedom for Iranian women », or « No to compulsory hijab » or « #Mahsa Amini ».

The Associated Press contributed to this article.