Rallies in solidarity with the ongoing anti-hijab protests in Iran erupted across the world as the death toll reached 54. The week-long protests, sparked by the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly improperly wearing the hijab, are the most intense show of opposition against the Iranian government since the November 2019 protests.
In a massive outpouring of support, thousands of people from different corners of the globe demanded an end to Iran’s religious mandates and security forces’ violence against protesters. People took to the streets in the United States (US), Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Greece, Sweden, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey to show their support.
In several rallies, crowds were seen waving the lion and sun flag used by the Pahlavi dynasty, which was ousted in the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Authorities have banned the usage of the flag and associated symbols in Iran. People were seen chanting slogans like “Women, life, freedom,” “Death to the oppressor,” and “Death to the Islamic Republic.”
The show of support took place amid intensifying protests across Iran and violent clashes between protesters and Iranian security forces. The Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRO) reported on Saturday that security forces have killed at least 54 protesters since 17 September.
Protests have been documented in 30 of #Iran's 31 provinces as #Mahsa_Amini demonstrations enter their tenth consecutive day. 1/4 #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/NyGD1jywc2
— Critical Threats (@criticalthreats) September 25, 2022
It added that hundreds have been injured and over thousands have been arrested so far, with 739 protesters detained in the Gilan province alone. “In many cases, returning the bodies are made contingent on secret burials,” IHRO noted.
It mentioned that Iranian people’s rights have been stolen for over 40 years by the Islamic Republic, which has responded with bullets whenever Iranians have demanded them. “Condemnations and expressions of concern are no longer enough. The international community and anyone that adheres to human rights principles, must now support the Iranian people’s demands,” it asserted.
Iranian authorities have launched a severe clampdown on the protests, which constitute the largest anti-government movement in recent years. The police have shot many of those killed; Amnesty International has also accused security forces of beating protesters with batons, firing metal pellets, and using tear gas and water cannons.
The widespread and disproportionate use of force against nonviolent protestors is unjustifiable and unacceptable.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) September 25, 2022
People in #Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peaceful protest. That right must be ensured in all circumstances.
https://t.co/oD6mm19K2P
Videos circulating on social media show protesters torching police stations and vehicles, and fighting with security forces. Iranian officials claim that several security forces have been killed in the clashes. According to CNN, rioters killed a fifth paramilitary volunteer on Sunday.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has called for an investigation into Amini’s death, said on Saturday that security forces must “deal decisively with those who oppose the country’s security and tranquility.” Raisi and other top Iranian officials have claimed that the protests form part of a foreign conspiracy.
Against this backdrop, Iranian troops launched an offensive against Kurdish groups in Iranian Kurdistan (Rohjelat) over the weekend, with support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units, who shelled the region. Tehran has accused Kurdish groups of supporting and encouraging the protests in an effort to undermine the regime.
Fearless! During the funeral of Javad Heydari, one of the victims of the current protests in Iran, started after #MahsaAmini’s death, his sister cuts her hair next to her brother's grave, a symbol of solidarity. #IranProtests2022 #جواد_حیدری #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/rwsoAreJyt
— Omid Memarian (@Omid_M) September 25, 2022
Internet and mobile services across the country remain disrupted. Internet watchdog NetBlocks reported that the regime has imposed the most severe internet restrictions since the November 2019 protests. Keeping this in mind, the US Treasury Department said on Friday that it would allow American technology firms to boost internet access in Iran. Last week, SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted that he would seek the government’s permission to operationalise its Starlink satellite internet service in Iran. However, Musk and Washington have not elaborated on how they plan to do this.
The US has vowed to support the protests in Iran. Last week, Washington imposed sanctions on Iran’s morality police and the leaders of its security apparatus for the crackdown on protests. The US also blamed the morality police for killing Amini.
A group of Iranian expatriates have gathered outside the @BBCNews headquarters in London to express their protest against @bbcpersian's policies regarding the coverage of Iran developments.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) September 24, 2022
"BBC, Shame on You," the protesters were heard chanting.#IranProtests2022 pic.twitter.com/qlLZyj6bXV
Amini, an ethnic Kurd, was arrested last Thursday by members of the so-called ‘Guidance Patrol’ for not wearing her hijab properly. The Guidance Patrol, also known as the morality police, is a police division in charge of enforcing the Islamic Republic’s laws against immodesty and societal vices. According to reports, Amini was brutally tortured and beaten, and died while being treated at an intensive care unit of the Kasra hospital in Tehran.
Immediately following her death, protests erupted in her home town of Saqez and later spread to major cities like Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Sanandaj, Orumieh, Kermanshah, Amol, Zahedan, Semnan, Marand, Eslam Shehr, Tabriz, Qom, Mashhad, Arbadil, and Sirjan.