Anthropologist Chowra Makaremi says Iran protests 'fuelled by anger'

Mon, 16 January 2023 

When Chowra Makaremi came to France from Iran as a child, she had to leave her mother behind. Several years later, in 1988, her jailed mother was one of thousands killed in mass executions. Now an anthropologist, Marakemi explains that the Iranian regime has long used state violence for control, setting up a sort of "contract" to keep society within their "red lines". She says the current protests, which began four months ago following the death of Mahsa Amini, are a sign that Iranians are no longer accepting the regime's "game of terror".

Marakemi tells us that a generation of Iranians who, like her, lost family members to state violence have transmitted "a memory of resistance", adding that the current movement is being fuelled not by fear, but by anger at the executions of protesters.

Iran protests, 4 months on: Iranians finding creative ways to continue theifight for freedom

Iran's regime is turning increasingly violent in an attempt to quell the women-led protests that were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini on 16th September. More than 500 people have died, including scores of children, in the last four months. Will the terror tactics be able to crush the protests or will it only fuel more anger? To find out, our colleagues at France 2 spoke to three women on the ground.

Iran protests, 4 months on: Human rights group say at least 500 killed in crackdown 

• FRANCE 24

 

Thousands march to EU parliament in Strasbourg in support of Iran protesters

NEWS WIRES
Mon, 16 January 2023

© Frederick Florin, AFP

Up to 12,000 people marched Monday to the EU Parliament in the eastern French city of Strasbourg in support of Iran’s anti-government protesters while the Eiffel Tower lit the night with the slogan “Woman. Life. Freedom,” which embodies the protest movement spilling beyond Iran.

The Eiffel Tower display also beamed the message, “Stop executions in Iran,” highlighting a demand of protesters.

Both messages pay tribute to Mahsa Amini, whose death in September triggered demonstrations in Iran, along with arrests and executions.

Paris posthumously declared Amani an honorary citizen in October, and Paris City Hall has said that the Eiffel Tower displays Monday were a homage to Amini and to “those who are bravely fighting for their freedom as the (Iranian) regime is continuing executions of protesters.”

The Strasbourg march was organized by Iranians in Europe on the 44th anniversary of the day when Iran’s last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, ailing and under growing pressure, left the country forever. The following month, the monarchy collapsed under the fervor of the Islamic revolution that gave Iran its theocracy. Some of the demonstrators Monday carried photos of the former king.

Local media cited police as saying some 12,000 people took part.

“Your silence is violence,” one banner read, reflecting the demand of Iranian protesters abroad to support their message and ensure Tehran hears it.

(AP)