The current protests in Iran started with the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman arrested and beaten by ‘morality police’ on 13 September for allegedly violating Iran's strict rules requiring women to cover their hair in public. The protests have now spread right across the country, with support building around the world.

Women protesters have been particularly brave, many risking and even losing their lives. "Woman, life, freedom" is now a frequent chant across Iran. Ultimately this isn’t about clothing or religion, it’s about fundamental human rights. 

The Iranian government has tried to suppress protestors with force, cutting off the internet, phone lines and social media in an effort to silence voices. The BBC and other independent media are barred from reporting from inside Iran, making it difficult to verify claims by the state media. 

At St. Augustine's Centre, we support many people from Iran who have fled persecution to rebuild their lives in the UK. The inability to communicate with family and friends still in Iran has been heart-wrenching, as they have been left to rely on images in the media without the ability to check in with loved ones.

Our Centre Members decided to hold their own gathering to share their thoughts locally in Halifax. They want to build awareness here, serve as the voices of their families and friends in Iran who are silenced, and ask the UK government not to support the Iranian regime.

On Saturday, October 22nd, a peaceful gathering was held in Halifax town centre which included poetry, artwork, hand-pressed banners and speeches from Iranian Centre Members and others. 

Soma, a female tailor who had to flee Kurdistan (Iran), made a moving speech at the rally. Following the event, she said "After years of suffocation and silence I’m happy to speak as a free woman and to talk about the problems I and my loved ones have experienced in Iran. I was happy I see 100 people who had joined us in support in Halifax. But we need millions across the world."

Ebrahim, a teacher and activist from Kurdistan/Iran who read his poetry at the rally said "In that event I only said what 30 of my best friends & students said, who were then executed by Iranian regime for saying it. I saw from people’s looks and actions at the rally, that humanity is still alive. Moreover I vividly observed that we can create changes together if we are serious enough."

What can you do?