In Iran and many other Middle Eastern countries, it is law for women to wear a hijab. Over the years, unrest has begun to circulate around the topic. Women and activists are advocating and protesting for their choice in wearing the hijab, and to end the obligatory Iranian law created in accordance with Iranian standards.  

The protests took on a new meaning when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested and murdered in Tehran for wearing her hijab “inappropriately.” She was visiting with family when she was stopped and taken by “Guidance Patrol” who were meant to take her to a Moral Security agency. Mahsa never made it to this agency because she was beaten in the patrol van and was left at the Kasra Hospital, brain dead. Mahsa Amini died three days later on September 16th because of unjust laws over her own body and brutality from security forces. 

Mahsa’s death sparked worldwide protests because she proved no matter how much one follows the rules, they are not safe from a corrupt system. The original protest has grown from the want for hijab-wearing laws to end. Some protestors want justice for Amini while others want reform of the violence and brutality of security forces. What all these protests have in common is the need for justice. These people deserve to live in peace and have been brutalized over something they did not ask for or agree with.  

Within two months of protesting about 15,000 Iranians have been arrested, and several hundred have been killed. Authorities in Iran have demanded harsh punishments be used on these protestors. All who have been arrested are at risk for the death penalty under charges like “enmity of god,” “corruption on earth,” “opposing the Islamic republic” and “conspiring against national security.” These imminent trials have yet to start but when they do it will have a heavy effect on the country of Iran.