Protests rise globally after the death of Iranian woman Masha Amini (includes video story)

The recent death in Iran of Masha Amini, who was arrested for not wearing a hijab, has sparked a women’s uprising and protest around the globe.

Iranian authorities claim that Amini’s death was due to an underlying medical condition. Her family has denied these claims, saying doctors told them she suffered significant trauma to the head. 

Following her death, young women have taken to the streets in Iran to protest despite the risk of violent government retaliation.

The most recent deaths include 16-year-old Sarina Esmailzadeh, believed to have been beaten to death by police, and 17-year-old Nika Shakarami, who was found dead. Iranian authorities have tried to classify both girls’ deaths as suicides.

During an interview with Caplin News in Washington, D.C., a protester named Sara spoke about why this cause is so important: “There are a lot of atrocities going on in Iran right now, so we are being an extension of their voice in the United States and hoping for change, for freedom, for all of the women around the world, but particularly [for] the Iranian women who are right now leading the fight for human rights.”

Victoria Duran is an FIU student majoring in Marketing and Interactive+Digital Media at Florida International University. She is passionate, creative, and hopes to pursue a career in the marketing industry.