What We Can Do for Iran

Since Friday, September 16, 2022, protesters have taken to the streets in cities across each of Iran's 31 provinces, demanding an end to the brutal religious dictatorship they have been living under for the past 43 years.

In December 1979, a new Iranian constitution was approved, namingAyatollah Khomeinias Iran's political and religious leader for life.

Overnight, Iran went from being an open, inclusive society to being ruled by leaders who misuse theology and power to suppress freedom and basic human rights in the name of religion.

Here's a look at what is happening and what we can all do to help.

What are these protests about?

The protests began as a demand for justice after 22-year-old Zhina Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian woman, was arrested by Iran's morality police.

She was accused of wearing her hijab improperly and was severely beaten during her arrest.

She later died of her injuries.

Niloofar Hamedi, the journalist who reported her death, has since been arrested and is being held in solitary confinement.

Over time, the protests have evolved from simply wanting justice for Amini's death to demanding freedom and equality for all.

Here is an abbreviated list of what women in Iran and their allies are fighting for.

The women of Iran are screaming “TIME IS UP!” and the men of Iran are by their side. Even high school and grade schoolers are joining them in the streets — and they are all risking their lives for a better future.

Who is affected?

There have been nationwide strikes in various sectors, and protests are not only on the streets, but are also taking place in universities and schools across Iran.

In response to the uprising, the Islamic regime's security forces have committed multiple human rights violations. Among many others, the following incidents have been documented:

• Islamic regime security forcestrapped studentsat Sharif University of Technology and proceeded to beat, arrest, and shoot at them. Sharif University is known worldwide in the tech space and the caliber of its graduates has been compared to Harvard and MIT.

• The security forces have targeted and killed young female protesters, including:
  • Nika Shahkarami, 16
  • Hadis Najafi, 23
  • Sarina Esmailzadeh, 16
  • Asra Panahi, 16
• According to the United Nations human rights office, as many as 23 children have been killed .
• There is footage of the security forces beating and arresting high-school girls, sending them to psychiatric institutions, and tear-gassinga girl's elementary school.
• Those injured during protests oftendo not seek medical treatmentbecause Islamic regime forces raid hospitals and clinics specifically looking for injured protesters.
• Parts of the notorious Evin Prison, where political prisoners are held, were set on fire. Its detainees are among Iran's brightest and most prolific writers, poets, teachers, professors, journalists, authors, academics, lawyers, human rights activists, environmentalists, protesters, government critics, athletes, and parents of those killed by the Islamic Regime who refused to stay silent about their children's deaths.

How can you help?

If you would like to donate to a related cause, thisverified GoFundMe initiativeis working toward getting mainstream media coverage for this tragedy.

You can also signthe petitionasking G7 leaders to expel Iran's diplomats and demanding freedom for political prisoners.

In solidarity with the people of Iran, freedom rallies have been taking place in over 150 cities around the world. The next rallies will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Find one near youhere.

Please continue sharing, reposting, and/or talking about what's happening in Iran. If you know an Iranian, check on them. Text them. DM them. Acknowledge how difficult this must be for them. They will be deeply grateful.

The internet has been shut down to prevent photos, videos, and information from being disseminated. There are no foreign reporters in Iran, and the limited content that gets out is via tech savvy Iranians who know how to bypass the internet block.

The best way to help is to use your voice — engage with the content you see on the topic. Sharing, commenting, and liking are truly helping get the message out. The table below lists some accounts and hashtags we recommend following.

Content warning: The images coming out of Iran can be graphic and disturbing. Please use discretion in your searches and when connecting to any of the accounts listed below.