Global protests mark second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death

The world on Saturday witnessed a unified wave of protests marking the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman whose killing at the hands of Iran's morality police in 2022 sparked nationwide ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protests.

On September 14, Iranians across the globe gathered in solidarity, demanding justice for Amini and the countless others who have suffered under the Islamic Republic. The protests stretched from Melbourne and Tokyo to several cities in Europe, with the Iranian diaspora and human rights advocates calling for an end to the tyranny in Tehran and for global powers to take action against the clerical rule.

In Melbourne, Australia, images of Mahsa Amini and other victims were displayed in front of the city’s central library. The organizers of the event, invoking the memories of those slain, urged the Australian government to declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization.

In Sydney, Iranians gathered in a demonstration of defiance, chanting, "Khamenei, you tyrant, we will bury you underground," while lighting candles to honor those killed or imprisoned. Similar protests took place in Brisbane, where demonstrators united in marking the anniversary of Amini's death.

In Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark, protesters formed human chains, symbolizing the unity of the Iranian diaspora. They chanted, "We are all together," reaffirming their commitment to the fight for freedom. Across Stockholm, Hamburg, Vienna, and Berlin, the chant "Death to Khamenei" rang through the streets, where demonstrators expressed anger toward the Supreme Leader and his rule. In Frankfurt and Rome, demonstrators also demanded justice, holding signs condemning the atrocities committed by the Islamic Republic.

Similar protests erupted in Tokyo, Brussels, and Groningen, where protesters called for the dismantling of the Islamic Republic. In Malmö and Gothenburg, Sweden, the rallying cry of "Woman, Life, Freedom" resounded in defiance of Iran’s authoritarian policies.

The Los Angeles City Council announced plans to rename an intersection in the city’s Iranian neighborhood to "Woman, Life, Freedom" on Sunday, in honor of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in the custody of Iran's morality police.

"Mahsa Amini's story did not end with her death. She inspired a historical movement that has impacted Iran and influenced people across the globe who are advocating for gender equality and respect for human rights," US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Friday, ahead of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death.

While the global Iranian diaspora gathered in protest, human rights activists and experts added their voices to the outcry. Kaveh Shahrooz, a human rights lawyer, spoke at a gathering in Toronto, Canada. Shahrooz emphasized the need for greater institution-building among Iranian activists abroad to ensure that the voices of the Iranian people are amplified on the global stage. "Institution-building is a practice of democracy," Shahrooz said, noting that such efforts can strengthen ties with foreign governments and human rights organizations to hold Iran accountable.

Shirin Shams, a leader of the Women’s Revolution organization, called the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement a “turning point” in the struggle against the Islamic Republic. In an interview with Iran International, she explained that "the Islamic Republic has not been able to stop the Mahsa movement," which has permeated the fabric of Iranian society. Shams described the movement as a "renaissance against regression and all forms of sexual slavery," adding that the people’s victory over mandatory hijab is only the first step in dismantling the Islamic Republic's policies.

Forough Kanani, a sociologist, echoed the same sentiments, saying that the Mahsa uprising has led to a "revolutionary and intellectual awakening" in Iran. Speaking to Iran International, Kanani highlighted the changes sparked by the 2022 protests. "A society that is aware and has tasted freedom will not go back.”

Despite the government’s efforts to stifle dissent within Iran, acts of defiance persisted. Videos circulated showing graffiti with slogans like "Death to Khamenei" scrawled on walls in Fardis, a city near Tehran.

Even inside the notorious Evin Prison, more than 25 female political prisoners staged a protest, gathering in the women’s ward yard. They burned their scarves in a symbolic rejection of the mandatory hijab and chanted slogans such as "Reformist, conservative, the game is over" and "Freedom, Freedom, Freedom." Their protest extended to a planned hunger strike in solidarity with the broader uprising across Iran.

The family of Mahsa Amini, still bearing the grief of their loss, announced that they would hold a memorial for Mahsa on September 15 at her grave in Saqqez, Kordestan province. Despite pressure and surveillance, Mahsa’s father Amjad Amini has remained steadfast in honoring his daughter’s memory. "If the government doesn’t impose restrictions, we will hold the ceremony," he told local reporters.

As the world watches, experts and activists are calling for more decisive international action. Human rights organizations, political leaders, and governments are being urged to impose further sanctions on Iran’s leadership, recognize the IRGC as a terrorist organization, and ensure that justice is served for the victims of the Islamic Republic’s repression.