Nighttime Protests Following the Death of Armita Garavand: Death to the Child-Killing Regime

According to reports shared on social media, a group of citizens in Tehran chanted slogans such as 'Death to the child-killing regime' and 'Death to the dictator' on Sunday night in protest of the death of Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old student. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, stated in two consecutive posts on 'X' that Armita Garavand's death makes the U.S. more determined to hold the Islamic Republic accountable. The White House also commented on Armita Garavand's death, stating that this violence against the people indicates the 'fragility of the regime.' The death of this teenage girl received widespread coverage in global media, with prominent news agencies and newspapers such as the Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, Agence France-Presse, and The Guardian reporting on it. Political activists, human rights defenders, and prominent Iranian figures also reacted to the news of this 16-year-old girl's death. Zahra Rahnavard addressed the 'rulers' of the Islamic Republic, stating, 'The stain of girl-killing will remain on your forehead.' Armita's body was buried amid heavy security measures, and security forces arrested several attendees at her funeral. Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old girl, was attacked by a 'morality police' officer on the morning of October 1, 2023, at the 'Shahada Square' metro station in Tehran while heading to school for not wearing a hijab and adhering to the mandatory government dress code. During the incident, she was pushed, causing her head to hit the edge of the train door, leading to her unconsciousness and subsequent coma. The British newspaper 'The Guardian' published statements from two witnesses on October 5, who said that as soon as Armita entered the metro car, a woman enforcing the mandatory hijab began arguing with her because Armita was not wearing a headscarf. One witness told the newspaper that when Armita fell to the ground, she was still conscious. Amnesty International had previously stated that based on published reports and multiple pieces of evidence regarding the Islamic Republic's cover-up, Armita Garavand fell into a coma after being attacked by a mandatory hijab enforcer. The Iranian Teachers' Trade Union stated that Armita suffered the same fate as Mahsa and was 'cut down.' Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested at Armita Garavand's funeral, which took place under 'heavy security measures,' with several attendees being detained. Narges Mohammadi stated that Armita was sent to her death due to 'mandatory hijab.' Reactions to Armita Garavand's death: recording another victim of mandatory hijab.