Mahsa Amini and the Protests in Iran

The feminist movement in Iran began on September 16th, 2022 due to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

On September 13th, Mahsa Amini was stopped by the morality police, a part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces who impose restrictions on dress codes for women, for wearing her hijab incorrectly. The police insisted that she went to a detention center where she received reeducation classes to learn how to wear her hijab correctly, but Amini was brought to a hospital in Tehran in a comatose state not long after. She died three days later.

Her family and witnesses to her arrest allege that she was beaten by the police while the police themselves claim that she died of a heart attack. There is not yet video evidence or an official statement at this time of what actually happened, but regardless, when people heard of her death, a good amount took action.

Protests in Iran began on September 16th, the day of Amini’s death, in cities like Tehran, Mahabad, Ilam, and even Amini’s hometown of Saqqez. These protests were described as peaceful by the United Nations, but Iranian police officers have reportedly used “excessive force” against protesters.

A lot of Iranian women have been protesting by cutting off their hair and burning their hijabs. This has been viewed as a demonstration of freedom from their government. Hair is incredibly important in Middle Eastern countries because of their heavy ties to Islam so this act is incredibly significant, simultaneously enfranchising, and traumatic.

Students at Central feel strongly about what is happening. Senior Allison Hobson said, “I think it’s sad that people still have to fight for their rights in that regard, but it’s a good thing that they’re getting their freedoms, obviously.” Granted, not everyone knows what’s going on in Iran, as Junior Izzy Cain said, “I haven’t been keeping up with what’s happening.”

Due to police brutality, at least 201 overall deaths have been estimated for these protests and around 1,200 have been arrested already. The internet in Iran was shut down on the 19th of September, most likely to keep more news of protests spreading.

Mr. Sitch, a teacher here at Central, had this to say about everything that’s been happening, “Young people, particularly young women, are frustrated with the conditions of a highly theocratic government. I don’t have experience with a highly theocratic government and I’m gonna do everything in my power to encourage people, young and old alike, to pay attention, stay active, and value democracy.”

The feminist movement in Iran is still ongoing. It is uncertain at this point how long it will last. The people protesting in Iran are putting their bodies and safety on the line for a better tomorrow for their women.