#Iran revolution

[luminalunii97]

Today marks one year anniversary of 2022 Iranian uprising against the oppressive Islamic Republic regime. An uprising that started with the brutal murder of a young kurd woman, Mahsa Jina Amini, for "inappropriate hijab".

For the past couple of weeks, the regime has prepared their forces to beat down any new movement immediately. The streets of Tehran and many other cities are lined with anti riot forces and police cars. In Saqez, the home city of Amini family, they've stationed the army around the city to massacre people in case they try to start another wave of protest. Mahsa's father has been arrested alongside some family members of other last year uprising martyrs.

There has been small protesting gatherings in Iran in the last two days, there has already been some arrests and violent crackdowns on protesters. I hear people chanting from my neighborhood homes. The government would commit as many bloodbaths as it takes to secure their position, but you can't beat people into obedience when they hate you from the bottom of their hearts.

Woman life freedom

[nazarjoon]

آتش آزادی هرگز خاموش نمی شود

the fire of freedom never goes out

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

Of its many failures, social media is let down by the speed of its news cycle, and the fickleness of its followers.

We’ve all seen it happen…

A flash-in-the-pan story blows up overnight, catches fire, and captures the eyes and ears of the online world.

A groundswell arrives, ‘this is it’ you hear, whispered, and then as fast as it arrived… it’s gone. Nothing changes.

All that knee-taking, and placard waving.

All that chest beating, and fist shaking.

All those buckets of icy water dumped on heads, and black squares slapped onto Instagram feeds.

The endless clapping, and clattering of pans on doorsteps.

After all of it; the performative grandstanding and slack-tivism… and nothing.

So we look around, blinkered, confused and deflated, shuffling home like a washed-out trip head, coming down from last night’s high.

The words we yelled are a rapidly fading dream, to be wound up, stored away and cringed over, in years to come.

The party is packed down, but don’t worry, the next ‘this is it’ moment is right around the corner.

Two years ago, we saw scenes of historic bravery and sacrifice in Iran, we saw strength, unity and heartbreaking loss.

We saw the familiar response from social media, and heard the same promises made, as they always are.

And again, nothing.

But Iran never stopped, and the revolution rolls on, quieter now, and away from the watchful eyes of the world.

The ‘women-lead revolution’ and the colossal sacrifice it’s built upon, falls on the deaf ears of fair-weather activism, too busy indulging in its next great battle.

But we cannot afford for Iran, and the thousands killed, to be consigned to the history books, or forgotten about, as tomorrow’s chip paper.

Because the violence continues none the less, and the deaths stack up.

So why is nobody talking about Iran?

And does it need our help now, more than ever?

-

Annual Report: https://iranhr.net/media/files/Iran_Human_Rights-Annual_Report_2023.pdf

Iran: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405032382

==

I've often thought about Iran and the - qualified, frequently rejecting the notion it has anything to do with Islam - Western support for the protesters in their fight against the regime, especially in comparison to the present-day Western support for the regime and their Hamas agents in Gaza.

But inevitably come away feeling guilty I couldn't find out much of what's going on. I suppose I imagined it died out, just as the coverage did. It's impressive that they've kept going but distressing that the barbarism of the regime is actively being ignored by the Western news cycle, given how calculated and malevolent the executions are.

[thepeacepigeon]

“Woman, life, freedom.” How the women of Iran protest the hijab

(Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

In September 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested by morality police in Tehran, Iran, for refusing to wear a hijab. Hijabs have been mandatory in Iran for women since the revolution in 1979, when the Imperial State of Iran was replaced with the Islamic Republic. Only a month after the victory of the revolution, Iran's new head of state, Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, declared: “Sin is not allowed in Islamic Cabinet ministries. Women should not appear naked in the ministries. Women are allowed only with a hijab. There is no obstacle to them working but only if they wear the hijab as prescribed by Islamic law.”

(Aristotle Saris/AP Photo)

The following day, over 15,000 Iranian women celebrated International Women’s Day, gathering in front of the prime minister’s office in Tehran in protest against the mandatory hijab. As of 1983, Parliament has since passed the Islamic Penal Code, which establishes a punishment of “up to 74 lashes for women appearing without Islamic hijab in public.” In 1996, the law was revised and replaced with “physical punishment with incarceration and fines.” 

In the case of Mahsa Amini, her suspicious death in police custody sparked massive outrage across the country, prompting widespread and large-scale protests. Videos were posted and spread online of Iranian women cutting their hair and burning their hijabs, which served as a powerful way to both protest the morality police responsible for Amini’s death and reject the policy of compulsory hijab. Iranians— both men and women, peacefully protested in the streets of Tehran, and in big and small towns across the country, chanting, “Woman, life, freedom.” 

(Safin Hamed/AFP/GI)

While many of these protests have been shut down or lost traction and attention outside of Iran, political activism in the name of women's equality and freedom continues to thrive in different forms. Widely recognized imprisoned female activists continue to leak statements and voice recordings online, describing and criticizing their living conditions in prison and encouraging other activists to keep working. Discussions and online meetings continue to be held in private online forums such as Twitter, Telegram, and WhatsApp. The women of Iran continue to engage in quiet civil disobedience regardless of the risks or consequences.

In 2017, five years before Mahsa Amini's death, a young woman named Vida Movahed climbed and stood on top of a utility box on one of Tehran's busiest streets. She stood, bareheaded—calmly waving her white scarf on a long stick. Her peaceful yet powerful display of defiance went viral, and photos soon circulated of other Iranian women taking off their headscarves in public. These acts of resistance contrast the violent treatment women like Mahsa Amini face at the hands of the Iranian government and police. They serve as an important example and reminder of the power the people can hold. 

Kenyon, Peter. “Public Protests Are over but More Iranian Women Are Refusing to Wear the Hijab.” NPR, NPR, 20 June 2023, www.npr.org/2023/06/20/1183152677/public-protests-are-over-but-more-iranian-women-are-refusing-to-wear-the-hijab.

Bazoobandi, Sara, et al. “Hijab in Iran: From Religious to Political Symbol.” Carnegie Endowment, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 13 Oct. 2022, carnegieendowment.org/sada/88152. 

Alfoneh, Ali, et al. “The End of Mandatory Hijab in Iran?” Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, 28 Feb. 2024, agsiw.org/the-end-of-mandatory-hijab-in-iran/. 

Tajali, Mona. “Women’s Activism in Iran Continues, despite Street Protests Dying down in Face of State Repression.” The Conversation, 16 Nov. 2023, theconversation.com/womens-activism-in-iran-continues-despite-street-protests-dying-down-in-face-of-state-repression-213514. 

Radio, CBC. “Peace Movement: The Impact of Grassroots Activism, Policy, and Culture.” Gray Group International, Gray Group International LLC, 5 Oct. 2022, www.graygroupintl.com/blog/peace-movement.

[shirzan140102]

Iranians Are Fighting Alone and the World Doesn't Care

We hardly get any news coverage in the mainstream media. The only people taking to the streets, approaching politicians, and making posts are Iranians. Social media platforms (including you, @staff) are not giving us the attention we deserve or have contributed to the suppression of our voices. All major governments and organizations in the world (i.e., the EU and UN) have not made a substantial change in their relationships with the regime and are even making diplomatic overtures to them. The best anyone does is offer their equivalent of "thoughts and prayers" whenever another execution happens. It's as if everyone is ignoring us. The world has turned its back on us.

[holdmybvbeer]

The brazilian national team landing in Australia for the women's world cup on a plane with the images of the murdered Jina Mahsa Amini and the imprisoned player Amir Nasr Azadani and the inscription "No woman should be forced to cover her head".

[jloisse]

The latest mural design of Palestine Square in Tehran (Iran) showing Iranian ballistic missiles being launched towards israel, background looks like the occupied Shebaa Farms.

The text says:

"We are stronger & more determined than ever. Are you ready for 2 million displaced?"

[punkboyjack]

Two things you learn from history of the middle east:

1_Jewish people NEED a state to survive

2_all governments are evil BUT they never represent the people

[amirkalhor]

The mother of Mahsa Jina Amini, a 22-year-old woman whose killing in Iranian state custody sparked months of anti-state protests in Iran, has called on Iranians to "raise their voice against oppression" on the anniversary of Jina's death.

[seethesound]

July 25 is the birthday of a 19-year-old woman named Mahsa Mogoi, who was murdered by the rebels of the Islamic Republic in the Steel City of Isfahan.

Mahsa was a female athlete who received many titles and medals in the fields of Taekwondo and physical fitness. She took to the street during the Women's Revolution of Freedom on 31st of May. It is said that in the clash with four Basiji Batoom, all four had beaten her for her mastery of martial arts. The same day, on her way home, she was chased, and in a secluded area, several people in plain clothes shot her at close range with a machine gun and cowardly murdered her

Dear Mehsa, every year your family celebrated your birthday, but this year the good people of Iran and the world are your family. Happy birthday to you❤️❤️

[luminalunii97]

saying F U to the regime again and again: a quick update on women vs IR regime

Famous Iranian actresses have been appearing in public without a mandatory hijab. This has been happening since the beginning of the protests. Last month, Kiumars Pourahmad, a well known Iranian screenwriter and director, committed suicide. He had a history of criticizing the regime's political decisions. At his funeral, some of the famous actresses attended without mandatory hijab.

You can see Fateme Motamedarya, Katayoun Riyahi, and Golab Adineh in these pictures from the funeral. Ms. Riyahi was one of the first celebrities who took her hijab off at the start of the Jina (Mahsa) Amini protest and for that she's been the target of IRGC harassment and has been to court.

Last week, in the ceremony of screening of the final episode of Lion's Skin (a persian crime show), actress Pantea Bahram participated without hijab. The manager of Tehran’s Lotus Cinema, where the ceremony was held, was fired for letting her attend without hijab.

Other than prosecution, the regime has blocked these celebrities' bank accounts. Basij and IRGC members have also attacked and harassed these women online and in real life.

Students on university campuses take off their hijabs. There's an installed version of morality police in universities that monitor students' styles. Female students must wear "appropriate" hijab and male students must wear "manly" clothes (one of my guy friends once was asked to go back home and change his shoes because they were red casual loafers. Apparently that's gay!). When you enroll in Iranian universities, the first thing you do is to go to the security office and sign an agreement that says you promise to follow the Islamic dress code. There are posters all over the campus that says things like "hijab is security" "respect the islamic hijab" and "not wearing appropriate hijab (tight short clothes, too much hair, makeup, etc) would result in legal action". So not wearing hijab on campus, where a lot of security cameras are installed and it's easy to identify you, is a big deal.

The regime's response to students taking off their hijabs is sending threatening messages to students' phones and increasing the security people. At the entrance of Universities, these security forces check people's clothes and if it's not proper they won't let you in. Some of the students wear the hijab at the entrance and take it off after they're in. They have warned our professors to not let non hijabi students sit in classes too.

One of my favorite trends in Iran now is when guys wear our hijab. These pictures are from universities. Guys wearing hijab make the security mad. This is a great act of solidarity with women against the obligatory hijab.

Some men have been doing either this or wearing shorts in public. The former is to ridicule the obligatory dress code and the latter is because wearing shorts in public is forbidden for guys too.

And women not wearing hijab in general. Though hijab is not our only issue, we want a whole new political system, one that is not theocratic or terroristic, hijab is something the regime won't back down from because it's one of their strongest oppressing tools. If they let us win the fight against obligatory hijab, I quote from a regime head, "people keep demanding more changes"!

So to put people against people to enforce the hijab law again, the regime has closed down many businesses (hotels, cafes, malls, bookstores, etc) for welcoming non hijabi female costumers. They have also warned taxi and bus drivers to not let non hijabi women in their vehicles.

Although not everyone is disobeying the hijab law (some believe in hijab, some don't want to pay the price), the number of women who take the risk and don't wear hijab in Tehran and many other cities is high enough that you feel encouraged to keep doing it.

[nazarjoon]

به امید آزادی سال نو مبارک

in hope of freedom, happy new year

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Douglas Murray

Published: May 21, 2024

THE President of Iran died at the weekend in a helicopter accident – news that the BBC marked with the headline “President Ebrahim Raisi’s mixed legacy in Iran”.

“Mixed legacy” is an interesting way to sum up the life of someone better known as the “Butcher of Tehran”.

Raisi rose through the ranks of the revolutionary Islamic Government that overthrew the Shah in 1979.

And he made his name in the usual revolutionary Islamic way.

By killing his political opponents — including the leftists who the regime rounded up, imprisoned and murdered by the thousands in their jails.

Some of the obituaries have noted that Raisi helped speed up the backlog of trials in Iran.

That is true. He did it in the same way Stalin did — by killing his opponents fast.

The United Nations noted his passing in its own unique way.

At the Security Council, the member States were invited to stand and observe a minute’s silence for Raisi.

Those taking part shamefully included our own deputy ambassador to the UN, James Kariuki.

At the same time, Iranians were letting off fireworks and handing out sweets in their own streets.

There has been more mourning at the United Nations than there has been in Iran.

Perhaps that is because the Iranian people are the first ones who have had to suffer under the cruel rule of President Raisi.

It was on his watch that students and others who have protested against his regime have been abducted, tortured and killed.

It is Raisi’s regime which has overseen the harshest rule of Islamic law — which includes the hanging of women who have been raped.

That’s right. If you are a woman who has been raped in Iran, you are the culprit.

And you will be the one that is hanged.

Are the women who suffered that horror worth a minute’s silence at the UN? I would have said so.

Is their hangman? I’d have said not. Yet the UN and others continued with this gross spectacle.

Today, the organisation flew its flags at half-mast at its HQ in New York.

How morally sick can an organisation be?

We seem to have come to the stage where international bodies, as well as some sick people at home, will love anyone so long as that person hates us.

And Raisi and his foreign minister, who died with him, certainly did hate us.

Theirs is a regime which has, for 44 years, called for “Death to America” and “Death to the UK”.

It is a regime which has caused a numberless loss of lives inside Iran and in the wider region.

It is a regime which has been trying to expand its power in its own region and whose assassins have made it as far as New York and London.

Only last month, a member of the Iranian opposition was stabbed outside his house in London.

Almost certainly by assassins sent to the UK by the government in Iran.

All the time, Raisi and his friends have tried to make their regime invincible by gaining a nuclear weapon.

So far they have had that project delayed many times.

But they still seek the bomb and are one of the very few regimes on Earth that has said they would like to use it.

We should take them at their word.

It is the regime in Iran that has, for years, funded and trained terrorists across the region and indeed the world.

‘Mass slaughter’

In October last year, when Hamas terrorists broke into Israel and carried out the largest mass slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, it was Iran which backed them.

It is Iran that has funded Hamas. It is Iran that has trained Hamas. And it is Iran that has armed Hamas.

Just as they have also trained, funded and armed their other terrorist groups.

Notably in Yemen. Where Iran’s Houthi friends have fired missiles and attacked British ships.

But also in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, where Iran’s weapons have killed British and American soldiers.

And that is before even getting on to the 150,000 missiles Iran has helped Hezbollah store up in southern Lebanon.

Or the drones and other munitions it has been giving to Vladimir Putin’s Russia as he tries to overrun Ukraine.

All of his foul life, Raisi hoped to start and win a massive regional war.

Why should the man who oversaw all this and very much more be given any respect?

You might say it makes political sense to keep doors open — as most of our Foreign Office seems to think.

But it is quite another thing to mourn, or lament, the passing of this man.

The BBC, Foreign Office and United Nations may not know what a tyrant is. But the Iranian people do.

If only we could show that we are on their side.

We could start by showing that we are also on our own.

==

Good fucking riddance. The Earth is a better place with him as a splatter stain upon it.

The absolute moral confusion that has infected our institutions is truly dire.

[feminism7]

Article BBC

This started on the 30th November last year. And it’s still happening and getting worse. Parents are scared to let their children go to school and demand authorities to take actions.

First girls are banded from schools in Afghanistan and now they are trying to make girls stay at home. Women and girls are getting less and less rights every day.

TW

At least 94 people have been executed in Iran this year. The trials were unfair. The regime is trying to spread fear and oppress the people even more so they are treating the people inhumanly and violate human rights.

People get tortured and have to go through horrific sexual violence and so on.

Please spread awareness and news to put pressure on the regime and support the victims of this horrific regime.

[shirzan140102]

The Revolution Continues

Following up on my post from yesterday and @luminalunii97's amazing addition to it, the revolution in Iran has been going on for 40+ years. Even at times where there seemingly was a lull, it was always brewing in one way or another; Mahsa Amini's death was just the point of no return. Even in the absence of protests, acts of civil disobedience and activism from Iranians living both in Iran and abroad have made it clear that this revolution has reached a fever pitch and can never be quelled. Just last night, a major protest took place at the birthday celebration of Hamidreza Rouhi, one of the protesters killed by the regime back in November.

So, no, the people of Iran HAVE NOT given up hope; we're in it for the long run. Anyone who says anything to the contrary is either ill-informed or someone spreading propaganda...

SOURCE

[heavenhatesme]

One year passed since they murdered Mahsa. One year passed since the seed of revolution was planted in our hearts. One year passed since the people of Iran were awakened.

Today, September 16th, we shall gather and fight to take back what is ours in the name of Mahsa Zhina Amini. Today, hopefully, will be the last day of these terrorist mullahs. Today shall be the day our Shah comes back from exile.

There is an Iranian saying which says, "Drop by drop, there will be a sea!" I, as an Iranian girl, ask you to be our voice today and help as much as you can; even if it's only reblogging this post.

Long Live Iran, Long Live Shah!

Bonus: our real flag