For over a month now, Iran has experienced nationwide unrest. People of all classes and ages across the nation’s cities have united in protests, which erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman. Amini was arrested by the morality police on September 13 for not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, appropriately. They believed she was breaking Iran’s strict law mandating that women must cover their hair with a hijab. Witnesses reported that during the arrest she was brutally beaten by the police. Three days later, while still in police custody, the young woman died.
Amini’s death angered many, sparking protests against the country’s discriminatory and repressive dress code law for women. The first protest occurred in the city of Saqqez, Amini’s hometown, right after her funeral. A group of women there took off their headscarves in a show of defiance towards the dress code. Since this local event, the protests have escalated to become one of the most widespread and unprecedented demonstrations of dissent against Iranian authorities.
Historically, the morality police in Iran have mistreated, tortured, and arrested both women and girls who they deemed to have violated Iran’s dress laws for women. In response, there have been isolated cases of women protesting these laws in the past, but they gained minimal attention and support. In current protests, women in many cities are deliberately taking off their headscarves in public and setting them on fire. Meanwhile, they are calling for women’s rights and freedom, while chanting anti-government slogans. Young girls in school grounds, and on the streets with women, have joined in the protesting.
University students are also participating in demonstrations, contributing their voice to the growing dissent against strict government laws. Additionally, thousands of men and boys are protesting alongside women in a display of solidarity. Moreover, store owners and factory workers have also gone on strike to show their support. Around the world, many other demonstrations have taken place to support the Iranian protests.
Meanwhile, authorities have reacted with violence and force, employing methods that are not only supported by the government but encouraged with the hope of discouraging protests. University students have been locked in school buildings. Security forces have been stationed in the streets and have shot at crowds using live ammunition and metal pellets. Protestors of all ages have been severely beaten. Tear gas and water cannons have been used against the demonstrators. As a result, it is believed that hundreds of people, including children, have died. Many more have been seriously injured. Unfortunately, many are afraid to seek medical treatment for their injuries, as they worry that they will be arrested once they are connected with protest activities. Furthermore, the Iranian government has shut down the internet in an attempt to contain the unrest and hide government brutality.
Reflecting on the ongoing protests and government violence, Kapilan Karunakaran, a freshman at Mira Loma, shares, “The Iranian protests display the unrest and fear of the people, showing that the government has many core problems, especially regarding their treatment of the people, that need to be addressed.”
In our local and school community, many people have concerns about their family and loved ones who live in Iran. Communication with those living in the middle of this historical unrest has been a major challenge. School counselors are available to students who are struggling with anxiety about the events in Iran. In the words of Principal Purinton, “As a community, we stand in solidarity for all students impacted by the violence in Iran.”
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