Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. Women, Life, Freedom. By now, many people know the meaning behind these three powerful words. The whole world is repeating it over and over again, mirroring the voices of the courageous women of Iran.
Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old woman who was arrested and beaten to death by the police while visiting relatives in Tehran, became the symbol of a revolution that is now on its way underway. Some call it the feminist revolution of the century: a women’s movement that has captured the world’s attention, inspiring women to stand in solidarity and fight for their causes.
The turmoil and unrest that began over 45 days ago, is still going strong. Mahsa Amini is not the only victims of this brutal regime, the reports vary, but it is said that more than 400 people have been killed and over 20,000 arrested during this short time. The oppressive regime forces continue to violently beat, arrest and kill protestors whose average age is 16-21 years old. Most victims are mere children.
As part of the crackdown, there was a massacre at the notorious Evin prison on Saturday, October 15th during which the security police directed the height of brutality towards its inmates of protestors and political prisoners.
It is believed, based on some reports, that over 140 prisoners were killed by the security forces. Some were murdered execution style by direct gunshot to the heads. The security forces showed no mercy for the inmate’s concerned families and friends who had gathered outside of the prison and were viciously attacked and beaten.
This uprising makes very clear that the Iranian people are fed up with the Mullah led Islamic Republic. The Iranian people’s unwavering demand for regime change will not be deterred as evidenced by the continuous protests throughout the nation calling for an end to the Islamic Republic, a regime change.
Based on raw footage of social media posts shared by Iranian citizen journalists, we see the start of neighborhood resistance units throwing Molotov Cocktails at security forces.
Many ask how the Iranian people can take their resistance to the next level. It is very clear that the dictators of Iran will not leave willingly and the people must fight against them. Unfortunately, this is not possible with just bare hands and strong chants.
What can the freedom seeking people of a nation do when fighting for democracy against an aggressive, brutal, fascist regime? What would this fight require? Will the world help take the Iranian’s movement to the next level? If the Iranians protestors were armed, would the USA and the world support their action to free Iran?
Martin Luther King, Jr said it best, “freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor, and it must be demanded by the oppressed”.
The people must become more powerful to be able to topple this regime who will not leave without bloodshed.
The demand for freedom and liberty is the fundamental right of Iranians that must be recognized by world leaders, particularly President Biden.
The policy of deal-making and negotiating with the Iranian regime has failed, over and over again. It’s obvious that these policies do not work.
In 2022, it is unfathomable to think that any world leader would attempt to negotiate with a brutal regime of terrorists who have bullied the entire world while holding their own people hostages in their own country for 43 years while committing countless crimes against humanity.
It is the responsibility of the international community to echo the cries of the people that are clearly calling for regime change in Iran. Therefore, a new policy must be made to support the Iranian people’s protests.
Just couple of week ago, in an interview with POD Save America, former president Obama expressed his regret saying that he should have sided with the Iranian people and not the regime during the 2009 green movement uprising. He said, “In retrospect, I think that it was a mistake, every time we see a flash, a glimmer of hope of people longing for freedom I think we have to point it out. We have to shine a spot light on it. We have to express solidarity.”
President Biden, now it the time to side with the people of Iran, and to recognize their demands for regime change. The US administration should take leadership and spearhead a new policy to support the Iran Revolution 2022. The world is watching with bated breath.
“Only through hardship, sacrifice, and militant action can freedom be won. The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days,” Nelson Mandela said.
“It is better to die fighting for freedom than to be a prisoner all the days of your life.”