Montrealers protest death of Iran’s Mahsa Amini; one of many demonstrations across Canada
Posted September 25, 2022 1:21 pm.
Last Updated September 25, 2022 1:26 pm.
Montrealers rallied for the second time in a few days to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, who died while in custody of Iran’s morality police.
Protests have sparked across Canada after the 22-year-old’s death on Sept. 16 in Iran.
BACKGROUND: Dissident: ‘Iranian women are furious’ over headscarf death
She had been detained three days earlier for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely in violation of strictures demanding women in public wear the Islamic headscarves.
Authorities said her death was the result of a heart attack, and that she hadn’t been harmed. Her family has disputed that claim, leading to a public outcry.
At least 11 people have been killed since protests began earlier this month in Iran.
Montrealers protest the death of Iran’s Mahsa Amini on Sept. 24, 2022. (Credit: CityNews/Pamela Pagano)
On Saturday, the Iranian Student Association of Concordia in Montreal organized their second march in four days to protest Amini’s death, and the state crackdown in Iran.
“Iranian Montrealers are joining today to show their solidarity and support,” said Shayan Asgharian, the student association’s president.
“The internet access in Iran has been cut off, so there’s no access to anything in Iran. So raising awareness is even more crucial than it has ever been right now.
“My message to Montrealers would be to listen to your Iranian friends, to listen to what they need. It’s not an easy time for them. Many students have parents back home in Iran and they’re not doing well. Many haven’t heard from them in days.
“They stood in solidarity with Ukraine, George Floyd, we would like to see the same for us too.”
