Incredible scenes in Iran as thousands defy government: 'The bravery'
Tens of thousands of people in Iran have defied government threats and ignored roadblocks to mark 40 days since the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
The 22-year-old passed away on September 16, three days after she had been detained by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly wearing her hijab “improperly.”
Police claim she suffered a heart attack but her family claim she was tortured and suffered a blow to the head.
On Wednesday protesters marched on Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad, but the biggest gathering was in Ms Amini’s hometown of Saqez, in the western Kurdistan province.
There thousands made the journey to her gravesite, despite warnings not to by security services, for the traditional 40th and final day of mourning.
Protestors march on Amini’s hometown
Extraordinary footage has since revealed crowds in their masses walking into the town chanting, while traffic can be seen backed up on multiple roads.
“Stunning video coming out of Iran,” the caption on Twitter reads.
“In Mahsa Amini’s hometown of Saqez, thousands ignore government road closures to walk to her gravesite 40 days after her death in the custody of Iran’s morality police.”
In response to the video, which has since been viewed more than 1.1 million times, a user claims the chanting included “woman, life, freedom” and “death to the dictator.”
stunning video coming out of iran
in mahsa amini’s hometown of saqez, thousands ignore govt road closures to walk to her gravesite
40 days after her death in the custody of iran’s morality policepic.twitter.com/u6EvbGQtjw— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) October 26, 2022
Many online were quick to attack the Iranian government.
“It is not a real government, whereas, a gang group pretends to be a state serving the people,” one person wrote.
“I smell a people’s revolution coming soon!” said another. “Time to get rid of the Ayatollah and replace him with a person who can promote democracy.”
Mahsa Amini protest song receives submissions for Grammy award
Events in Iran since Mahsa Amini's arrest and death in custody
While women reportedly ripped off their headscarves or hijibs and waved them above their heads, another video reveals thousands of protestors clapping and cheering loudly in protest.
“Power from numbers,” wrote one person.
“I couldn’t stop crying when I saw this,” another said. “The bravery of these people is second to none!”
In Saqez, the hometown of Mahsa Amini, tens of thousands of people ignored governmental threats and roadblocks and showed up to mourn her on the 40th day of her killing. pic.twitter.com/XU3wbcYi0X
— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) October 26, 2022
Iran’s security forces open fire on protesters
As protesters turned up in numbers to show their support for Ms Amini, Iranian security forces turned on them, with reports that shots were fired.
“Security forces have shot tear gas and opened fire on people in Zindan Square, Saqez city,” Hengaw, a group that monitors rights violations in Iran’s Kurdish regions, tweeted.
It claimed more than 50 civilians were injured by direct fire in cities across the region, while the government said that security forces had been forced to respond to riots.
with AP
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