Demonstrators in B.C. vow solidarity with protesters in Iran as unrest continues

Editor's note:The CBC agreed after initial publication to shield the identityof one of the interviewees after she expressed concern for her safety.

The death of a young Iranian womanin police custody has sparked protests in Iran and around the world, including in British Columbia.

Mahsa Amini, 22, died last week following her arrest by Iran's morality police for "unsuitable attire" after she allegedly wore a hijab improperly.

Her death unleashed a nationwide flood of protests over human rights, security and an economy reeling from international sanctions. Iranian state TV suggested the death toll from the unrest could be as high as 26, without offering details.

Iranian police have denied mistreating Amini and claim she died of a heart attack. The country's authorities say they are investigating.

Protesters in Iran take to the streets

2 years ago

Duration 0:40

Iranian cities including Tehran and Sardasht saw crowds of protesters running through the streets and lighting fires in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while she was in police custody, after being arrested for 'unsuitable attire.'

At Simon Fraser University's Burnaby campus on Friday, dozens gathered in solidarity with Iranians upset over Amini's death.

Attendeesheld signs that read "Stand with the women of Iran" and "No justice, no peace."

Oneprotester, identified as D.D., cut off her hair, mirroring scenes of Iranian women who havecut their hair and burnedtheir hijabs.

Another demonstrator, Parisa, said international rallies are critical to shine a light on the bravery of Iranians who are taking to the streets at great personal risk.

Parisa who moved to Canada from Iran three years ago, says she knows too well the conditions that sparked protests.

"I was taken by the morality police three times myself," she said. "I saw suppression every day, belittling ofwomen every day."

Parisa says protesters in Iran face real danger, noting that 2019protests over a rise in the state-controlled price of gasoline claimedmore than1,500 lives.

Iran has also disrupted internet access, according to internet traffic monitor Netblocks, and tightened restrictions on popular platforms used to organize rallies, like Instagram and WhatsApp.

Parisa has been following the protests as closely as she can, onedge as she worries about family and friends in Iran.

"You see people [close]to you going on the streets, you're just like, 'Please be careful'or 'Don't go,'but at the same time you want this movement to continue, you want ...once and for all for this regime to end."

Friday's protest came after a rally in downtown Vancouver on Monday.Another protest is scheduled for Sunday afternoon outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Protests have also taken place inKelowna andVictoria with another slated for Prince George this weekend.

The local Iranian community saysitwill continue toraiseawareness about the unfolding crisis.

"How many people should die just for having basic human rights?" Iranian Canadian SahraHakkakpour said.

"Today it's Mahsa,some other dayit's going to be some other innocent woman."