Students in the University’s Persian Cultural Society gathered at Beta Bridge Monday afternoon to paint a mural of the Iranian flag with the words “Free Iran” and “Women, Life, Freedom.” PCS aimed to bring awareness to the University community regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has swept Iran in the last several weeks as the government brutally cracked down on mass protests, with police killing over 3,000 people.
The protests in Iran began Dec. 28 in response to the Islamic Republic’s struggling economy and extreme devaluation of its currency, and quickly devolved to mass killings of protestors in the first week of January.
Saba Nasseri, PCS president and third-year College student, said she believes PCS plays an important role in bringing awareness of the issue to the wider University community.
“A lot of people don't really know what's going on in Iran, or in the Middle East in general, so it's really important for us as a cultural organization here on Grounds to speak up, use our voices and advocate for our people back home,” Nasseri said.
Several members of PCS — including Shanyar Ghaderi, second-year College student and PCS advocacy chair — expressed concern for friends and family members in Iran. Ghaderi said that she has struggled to reach family members and friends since the government instituted an internet blackout earlier this month. Ghaderi expressed appreciation for the support of the Persian community at the University.
“I have family who are back home in Iran who I haven't been able to get back in contact with,” Ghaderi said. “Knowing that so many other people here are in the same boat, it makes me feel less overwhelmed about all of it. I can talk it out and not feel so alone.”
According to Ghaderi, these protests in Iran are unique due to their broad base of support among the Iranian people. She said that while other recent protests in Iran have focused more specifically on women’s rights, the current protests involve Iranians with a wide variety of beliefs, all joining together in opposition to the existing government’s oppression.
Ghaderi also emphasized the importance of University community members — who may not be directly affected by the crisis — staying aware of global issues and continuing to speak out against for injustices around the world.
Nasseri echoed Ghaderi’s sentiments, and encouraged those in the University community to offer support to peers who may be impacted by the situation in Iran.
“I think checking in on your Persian friends [is important] as well. For a lot of us right now, it's a very scary time because we don't really know what's going on and a lot of us haven’t been able to contact a lot of our family,” Nasseri said. “Being able to empathize with them, check in on them, make sure they're doing okay. I think that's the best way that the U.Va. community can help.”
Paria Karimi, PCS member and third-year College student, said that members of the Charlottesville community can support the protestors in Iran by calling their congressional representatives to increase awareness for those who have been imprisoned by the government.
“Visibility [for the Iranian crisis] is key right now,” Karimi said. “[Visibility] can help postpone or even cancel executions that are planned.”
According to Ghaderi, many members of PCS hope for the protests to result in the end of the current regime and the return of freedoms for women and ethnic minorities in Iran.
Karimi said that despite uncertainty over the next steps for Iran in the future, several PCS members are united by the hope for future freedom and an end to the current state of suffering.
“The entire community is very uncertain about the future…but there is a single thing that we can all agree on, and that is that we want the Islamic Republic gone from Iran,” Karimi said. “We want our country restored after decades of dictatorship. I hope to see all the prisoners freed and all the executions canceled.”
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