Kiwis gather in solidarity with Iranians after woman’s death
AUCKLANDERS gathered at Aotea Square yesterday in solidarity with the people of Iran who are protesting the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s ‘‘morality police’.
On September 16, 22-yearold Amini died in custody following her arrest by Iran’s Guidance Patrol, for not adhering to hijab requirements.
Iranian women have been burning their hijabs and cutting their hair in protest at Amini’s death. Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, whose family fled Iran in 1990, was among the protesters who cut their hair at a gathering in Wellington.
Protesters in Iran are demanding an end to its misogynistic political system and that women be allowed to wear what they want.
Pushback from the Iranian government has turned deadly.
Despite rain in Auckland, about 100 people gathered at Aotea Square at 3pm yesterday, chanting ‘‘freedom for Iran’’, ‘‘justice for Iran’’ and ‘‘women like freedom’’.
Protesters also sang Baraye, a song by Shervin Hajipour that was written with Iranian citizens’ tweets about why they joined the demonstrations.
Dancer Aida Sajadi was wearing the tannour, an
Egyptian traditional costume, to perform a dance of unity .
She moved to New Zealand when she was 10 and described her sadness at what was happening in her country. She said protesters around the world were a voice for Iranians, who could not speak out due to their internet being cut off.
‘‘Innocent people are being massacred, we are their voices. It’s an incredible turnout. The fact they came out even when it’s raining speaks a lot,’’ she said.
Organiser Mahsa Marks said she and a group got together six days ago to organise the rally. They chose yesterday as it marked International Action Day.
‘‘And New Zealand marks it first, so this was important.
There are rallies for Iran happening across the country and the world,’’ Marks said.
‘‘We really worried about the weather, but people turned out in numbers. This is for freedom for Iran.’’
She said they were planning to hold more protests.