Video: Rally in solidarity with the feminist uprising in Iran

October 17, 2022
Issue 

Hundreds at a rally in Martin Place were urged on October 15 to keep up the organising solidarity with the feminist uprising in Iran, now running for a month.

They started after the death in custody of Kurdish woman Jina/Zhina Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the "morality police" for not wearing her hijab "properly".

Kurdish left feminist activist Tina Kordrostami told the rally that the "voice from Kurdistan, the collective voice of minority and leftist feminists from a region whose history has been tied with blood, torture, execution, imprisonment, exile and discrimination since the first days of the revolution" would like the "feminist uprising that took place after the Zhina regime's femicide [to be known] as the Zhina movement, a name that, like the most frequent slogan these days, means 'life' and 'life-giving', because we believe that resistance is life itself".

"What is happening in the streets of Iran today promises the beginning of a new era of fighting against violence, fundamentalism and deprivation of the right to life," she added.

"We invite feminist groups of women and queers in the region to join us in this battle, and especially the solidarity of Kurdish, Turkish, Arab, and Baloch leftist feminists, to redefine intersectional oppressions in a different way. 

"Progressive and beyond patriarchal definitions of national oppression are very necessary. We also ask other anti-capitalist and anti-racist left feminists in the West to join us and stand with us in this struggle.

"The realisation of the ideal of freedom and liberation is not possible without reclaiming the right to our lives," Kordrostami said.

"This is what resonates with the slogan of women, life, freedom in Iran these days. Following this slogan, our feminist revolution calls for transnational and global solidarity to realise it."

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.