News / protest
Bristol gathers to remember Mahsa Amini
People in Bristol came together to sing and hold white roses in solidarity with protesters in Iran who have taken to the streets over the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died in police custody on September 16.
“It’s a moment to stand in solidarity with all Iranians who are putting their lives on the line, especially girls and women who are taking off their hijab, cutting their hair, standing in front of police lines, many of them have been injured, some of them have been shot dead,” said Iranian Roxana Vilk, who organised the protest with UWE Bristol lecturer Amak Mahooodian.
Amini was arrested by Iran’s ‘morality police’ in Tehran for the way she was wearing her headscarf. Three days later, she died after being in a coma.
is needed now More than ever
While police claim she died of sudden heart failure, her family have insisted she had no history of health issues and suspect she was beaten.
Her death has triggered widespread protest in Iran, with some women in Iran setting fire to their hijabs and chopping off their hair to protest for their rights.
In Bristol, over a dozen people gathered outside Arnolfini to protest the Iranian government’s regime and rally in support of women there.
Scenes from earlier today as people gathered to show solidarity with women and protesters in Iran #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/bGprfNaHZP
— Betty Woolerton (@bettywoolerton) September 24, 2022
Vilk, an artist, added: “Iranian women are incredibly strong. They’re in politics, they’ve got university degrees, they’ve got a lot of strength.
“There’s a word in Farsi called sherha, which means lionesses. And right now, they are at the forefront of this word.
“We wanted to show solidarity because we can’t be in Iran with our sisters, but we want to be.”
Amini’s death came on the back of increasing reports from Iran of women facing repression over how they dress. Iran has strict laws requiring women to wear hijab – a headscarf and loose clothing that covers their limbs.
Iranians have seen widespread internet blackouts and blocked access to social media to curb the growing unrest across the country.
Iranian authorities have said they will launch an investigation to determine the cause of Amini’s death.
All photos: Betty Woolerton
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