Since September 2022, when Mahsa Jina Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman was arrested and killed while in custody of the morality police for alleged noncompliance with Islamic dress codes, the women of Iran have been leading protests demanding for social justice and their basic human rights. They have been joined by both men and children, and horrifically during the past four months alone, close to 600 Iranians have been murdered at the hands of government-sanctioned officials, and over 20,000 more have been arrested. Anti-government protests have become hotspots of abuse and various forms of human rights’ violations. Organized attacks in the wake of Mahsa’s death targeting women, minority populations, and protestors have been profusely decried across the world.
Now is the time for us as a GW community, and as a community of activists, to show a united front in support of the protesters’ rightful demands and against abuse. This event is being organized to make the greater D.C. community aware of the events transpiring in Iran, support those within the GW community who are impacted by these events, and serve as a stance against human rights violations and as a call to action for those who wish to do so.
The event will feature remarks from GW President Mark Wrighton, Roya Hakakian, an Iranian American Jewish journalist, lecturer, and writer, and Mahnaz Afkhami, an Iranian women's rights activist. Former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues and Representative to the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Melanne Verveer, will provide closing remarks.
Both Hakakian and Afkhami have authored books that will be available for purchase from the GW Campus Store and signing at the event.
Doors will open at 4:30 PM ET, attendees are welcome to view art installations before and after the event. The program will be followed by a reception concluding at 7 PM ET.
The event will be available via live stream, for those not able to attend in person. The live stream link will be available on https://clarablisshinds.smhs.gwu.edu/ on March 22, 2023.
