This past Saturday, students of Leeds took to the streets to protest women’s rights in Iran.
One protest was held on the steps of the University of Leeds Library.
The building was flooded with protesters proudly waving Iranian flags, shouting “women’s rights” and “down with dictators.”
This comes just one month after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who was arrested in Tehran for wearing her hijab incorrectly.
Many are protesting the legal requirement for women to wear hijabs in Iran, “calling out the dictators enforcing restrictions on women’s rights”, one protestor told Leeds Now.
This regime has been in place for over 40 years, after the Revolution of 1979.
These protests are happening all across the world, showing solidarity to women fighting for freedom in Iran.
Another protester said “we don’t want the forced hijab.”
The organisers handed out leaflets detailing more information on why they are protesting, “help Iran to be heard” it reads.
The QR codes lead to the Wikipedia article on Mahsa Aminis death, and various petitions to help Iranians from the UK.
One of these petitions is an “Urgent call to action to stop Islamic Republic’s violence against children amid protest.” it has almost 75,000 signatures, becoming one of the top signed on change.org.
Another change.org petition “G7 leaders: Expel Iran’s Diplomats / Demand that political prisoners be freed” is hoping for one million signatures.
“We are concerned that the lives of many prisoners… and dual citizens are in grave danger” the founder of the petition, Iranians for Justice and Human rights.
A follow up protest is set for Sunday 6th November, 12pm, at Dortmund Square, Leeds LS2 8RE
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