Protests in Various Cities Worldwide on the Second Anniversary of Mahsa Amini's Death

Iranians in various cities around the world held protests and gatherings simultaneously with the second anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death while in custody of the morality police and the beginning of the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests. The gatherings and demonstrations on Sunday, September 16, took place in cities including Paris, London, Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Hamburg, Washington, and Stockholm. According to Agence France-Presse, thousands marched in Paris on Sunday to show solidarity with the protests that began after Mahsa Amini's death in Iran. The report stated that during the Paris demonstration, which took place partly in the rain, participants chanted slogans such as "Women, Life, Freedom," "Death to the Dictator," and "Death to the Islamic Republic," and sang the song "Baraye" by Shervin Hajipour. The protesters marched from "Place de la République" to "Place de la Nation." In addition to Iranian speakers, several French figures, including Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialists, Sandrine Rousseau, a prominent Green figure, and Manon Aubry, a far-left member of the European Parliament, spoke at the gathering. On the same day, Iranians in other cities around the world, including London, Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Hamburg, Washington, and Stockholm, also held protests and gatherings. Various groups had called for these gatherings and marches. In Toronto, Canada's most populous city, thousands marched to commemorate the second anniversary of Mahsa Zhina Amini's death in the morality police and the beginning of the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests. Hamid Ismailion, a civil and political activist who was one of the speakers at the Toronto gathering, told Radio Farda: "The Islamic Republic is incapable of solving issues, and ultimately this movement will lead to the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and the achievement of democracy in Iran." In London, the capital of England, groups of Iranians began their march from the area known as "London Eye," where the city's famous Ferris wheel is located. After crossing the bridge leading to Parliament, the protesters gathered near the British Prime Minister's office, where speeches and other programs were held. In Cologne, Germany, a group of Iranians marched towards the Rhine River after gathering in front of the city's cathedral. According to videos shared on social media, during this event, the mother of Abolfazl Amirati, one of the victims of the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests, spoke. In Bern, the capital of Switzerland, a group of Iranians gathered in front of the Islamic Republic's embassy and chanted slogans. Meanwhile, Prince Reza Pahlavi also wrote a message on the occasion of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death: "Mahsa Amini's voice is still alive, and the path of all the immortal heroes of the homeland who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and dignity of Iran continues." In this message, which was published on social media, he added: "Shout their glorious name with a loud voice, share their story of courage, support their brave families, and stand shoulder to shoulder against the Islamic Republic regime. Together we are stronger." Mahsa (Zhina) Amini was a 22-year-old woman from Saqqez who was arrested by the morality police in Tehran on September 13, 2022, and after three days in a coma, ultimately died on September 16 at Kasra Hospital in Tehran. Her death sparked widespread and months-long protests in Iran known as "Women, Life, Freedom," which was met with severe governmental repression. The "Women, Life, Freedom" movement is referred to as the most extensive and profound protests by the Iranian people against the Islamic Republic government.