The death of Mahsa Amini, after her arrest by the morality police in Tehran, sparked a wave of protest in the country's major cities.
Suppressed in violence, these demonstrations caused the death of at least 50 people, according to official figures from an NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR).
This movement has gained in power and now goes beyond the borders of Iran.
Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the world to express their anger and show their support for Iranian women.
Read alsoIran: anger against the veil ignites youth
Los Angeles
About a thousand people from the Iranian community took to the streets of the City of Angels in solidarity with the demonstrations against the death of Mahsa Amini, this Thursday, September 22.
Men, women and children waved flags, photos of the 22-year-old and signs calling for accountability from the Iranian government.
Californian Kurds hold a protest and candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Mahsa Zhina Amini in front of the Federal Building on September 22, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Apu Gomes / AFP
This rally was an opportunity to protest against the dress rules imposed by the government, considered too radical.
“
The hijab is used as a weapon ,” chanted a young woman on
CBS Los Angeles
television
.
Comparing this drama to that of Georges Flyod in 2020, she implored the American journalist "
to amplify this story
" in order to bring about change.
After the demonstration, a vigil was organized to pay homage to Mahsa Amini at nightfall.
Candles were placed in front of portraits of the victim.
Images of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, are displayed during a candlelight vigil to protest her death in front of the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, United States, September 22, 2022. BING GUAN / REUTERS
Protesters during a candlelight vigil following the death of a young Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 22, 2022. BING GUAN /REUTERS
Los Angeles is home to the largest number of individuals of Iranian descent, outside of Iran.
In 2019, 87,000 Iranians lived in the Californian city, according to figures from the
Los Angeles Times
.
A large part lives in "
Tehrangeles
", a Persian enclave in Westwood (west of the city).
This Iranian diaspora took its roots from the 1930s, but reached its peak during the 1979 revolution.
New York
On the other side of the country, in New York, a demonstration was held against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday, September 21.
At the foot of the United Nations building, photos of victims of the massacre of Iranian prisoners in 1988 have been placed.
Mahsa Amini's death has become a symbol of the suppression of freedom in Iran.
Read alsoIran: power opts for repression against demonstrators
People take part in a protest against Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi outside the United Nations on September 21, 2022 in New York City.
STEPHANIE KEITH / AFP
Photos showing the victims of the massacre of Iranian political prisoners in 1988 in front of the United Nations, September 21, 2022 in New York.
STEPHANIE KEITH / AFP
A mobilized Europe
On the other side of the Atlantic, many European capitals have joined the global movement.
In front of the Brandenburg Gate in
Berlin
, the crowd waved flags, signs and photos of Mahsa Amini on Friday, September 23.
People take part in a demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, September 23, 2022. CHRISTIAN MANG / REUTERS
A protester holds her hair during a demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, September 23, 2022. CHRISTIAN MANG / REUTERS
Several women carried out punch actions, filmed and broadcast on social networks.
This is particularly the case of three young women in their twenties who, in front of the public eye, cut their hair.
Like the Iranians.
Since Sunday, similar videos have been swarming on the internet.
Iranian women cut their hair or set fire to their veils.
Strong gestures, aimed at challenging the authorities, who have also cut off a large part of the internet network.
In
Madrid
, members of the feminist activist group "
Femen
" also protested this Friday, September 23, outside the gates of the Iranian Embassy.
As usual, bare breasts they proudly held up placards on which was written "
Femen with the women of Iran
".
The Spanish Civil Guard quickly asked them to leave the place.
Members of the feminist activist group Femen demonstrate in support of Iranian women and against the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini in front of the Iranian embassy in Madrid, September 23, 2022. THOMAS COEX / AFP
Further south, in
Athens
, Greece, the demonstration in front of the Iranian embassy was marked by violence.
A fight broke out between the Iranian community, left-wing groups and law enforcement.
Demonstrators fight with riot police, during a demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy, in Athens, Greece, September 22, 2022. COSTAS BALTAS / REUTERS
At the gates of Iran, disputes are raging
This protest movement with global resonances is also spreading in Turkey, where women have also cut their hair in the public square in
Istanbul
.
Sails were burned, as a pledge of support for the Iranian women.
Read alsoDemonstrations of support in Turkey for the women of Iran
Nasibe Samsaei, an Iranian living in Turkey, cutting her ponytail during a demonstration in front of the Iranian consulate in Istanbul on September 21, 2022. YASIN AKGUL / AFP
Significant popular gatherings also took place in
Beirut
, Lebanon, where women staged a sit-in (a demonstration consisting of sitting in a group on a public road).
Read alsoIran: anger against the veil ignites youth
If no event has taken place in France so far, two events are planned in Paris, this Saturday, September 24.
They are organized by Kurdish and Iranian associations.
