Iranians Rally for Justice: Demanding Change One Year After Mahsa Amini's Tragic Death
Protests sweep Iran as the nation mourns the tragic loss of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died while in the custody of Iran's morality police Her alleged offense? Improperly wearing her headscarf As demonstrations unfold, the plight of her family, facing detention and persecution, adds further fuel to the fire
Protests broke out across Iran on Saturday in remembrance of the one-year passing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who tragically died while in the custody of Iran's morality police. She had been arrested on allegations of improper headscarf usage.
CNN obtained footage showcasing demonstrations across various Iranian cities such as Tehran, Mashad, Ahvaz, Lahijan, Arak, and the Kurdish city of Senandaj.
After Aminis death last year, nationwide protests broke out and a popular rallying cry among the protesters became "Women, Life, Freedom." In addition to this, some demonstrators also chanted slogans calling for the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Authorities deployed armed guards in many cities as a show of force and police officers were seen chasing protesters in the northern city of Lahijan.
Protests were also started in Istanbul, Turkey.
Mert Can Bukulmez/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
Rallies commemorating Aminis death were held in other cities around the world like Paris, Brussels and Berlin.
Many said they felt the need to raise their voices when so many in Iran could not.
Hundreds of people congregated in London on Saturday to commemorate the one-year milestone. A female protester, speaking to CNN, emphasized the enduring nature of their mission, stating, "We aim to convey that this struggle is far from over," and asserted, "Our fight has commenced, and we are unwavering in our pursuit of freedom for Iran, a revolution, and the removal of the mullahs from power."
Protest organizer Ellie Borhan was also seen in videos cutting her hair on stage in front of the crowd.
Iranians march outside the White House on Saturday.
Allison Bailey/Reuters
Detention and persecution of family members
The news comes after Iranian journalists and rights groups said Aminis father Amjad had been detained by authorities on Saturday.
According to Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari, founder of the activist outlet IranWire, Amjad Amini has frequently been called in for questioning by security officials following the death of his daughter. On Saturday, he was detained for a brief period of a few hours, as stated by Bahari.
The family paid a visit to her grave in Saqqez, a Kurdish city in western Iran, on Friday, marking the one-year anniversary, according to IranWire's report on Saturday. IranWire also stated that helicopters were observed circling above the Aichi cemetery, while a large presence of military personnel and police officers were stationed in the area.
Amjad and his son were detained by authorities for a duration of three to four hours the next day. During this time, Bahari informed CNN that his son was cautioned about the possibility of being exiled to a remote village if he continued to encourage individuals to participate in ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of Aminis death.
Safin Hamid/AFP/Getty Images
Mahsa Amini's father detained by Iranian authorities on anniversary of daughter's death
Aminis uncle, Safa Aeli, residing in Saqqez, was detained earlier this week, as confirmed by a family member and reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency.
In response to allegations made by Iranian journalists and human rights organizations, authorities vehemently refuted the reports of Amjad Aminis arrest, asserting instead that they had thwarted "an attempted assassination." This information was relayed by the IRNA state media news outlet.
According to IRNA, the Vice Governor of Kurdistan detained a number of individuals belonging to a terrorist group, who were allegedly planning the assassination of Amini. IRNA dismissed the assertions made by Iranian journalists and rights organizations as unfounded.
