By: Jared Skoro
The Islamic Republic of Iran is in its second week of protests following the arrest and death of Mahsa Amini on September 16th, 2022.
Amini, 22, was arrested by Iran’s morality police for the “inappropriate” wearing of a hijab on September 13th only to be announced dead three days later. The police have stated that she died of a heart attack, but eyewitnesses and leaked CT scans testify that she was beaten to death by the police.
The result is Iran’s biggest protests since 2019, occurring in 80 or more cities and towns. Thousands have taken to the streets and young women have either taken off or burned their hijabs to chants of “Death to the dictator.”
The government has responded violently with the use of tear gas, buckshot, and live ammunition on protestors. Arrests number at 1,200 and deaths at 41 according to the Iran government, while human rights organizations and protestors are certain the number is much higher.
This has all resulted despite government censorship, public statements, and the shutdown of its Internet.
Further actions in recent days have varied from talks of strikes among oil workers which threatens to cripple Iran’s economy to Iranian football players openly announcing their support of the protests.
