Barack and Michelle Obama released a statement on Tuesday, praising Iranian protesters who took to the streets in recent weeks over the death of a 22-year-old woman last month while in custody of the administration’s so-called moral police.
“On this International Girl’s Day, we stand in solidarity with the courageous Iranian women and girls who have inspired the world through their ongoing protests,” the Obamas said in a statement.
“The rights they seek are universal: equality, the ability to choose how they look, dress and express their identity, and the freedom to do so without facing harassment, intimidation or violence.”
Protests over the death of 22-year-old Masa Amini, who was arrested on September 16 for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly, are now in their fourth week. Consistent with being beaten.
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Thousands of women and girls marched in the streets across Iran, some ripping off their scarves in protest.
The Iranian government cracked down on the demonstrations, killing at least 185 people, according to Iran Human Rights.
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Barack Obama is indicted by some U.S. lawmakers For not supporting Iran’s “green movement” when Iran was president in 2009. Protesters took to the streets for months during the movement to demand the removal of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
President Obama’s vice president, Joe Biden, has spoken out more forcefully in support of the current wave of protests in Iran, as the administration seeks to censor access to social media and other platforms. , promised to increase Internet access.
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The Obamas said on Tuesday that the protesters “send a powerful message that injustice should not be tolerated.”
The Obamas said, “We are in awe of the Iranian girls who have played a leading role in asserting that the future will be different from the past and that Iranian women will fully enjoy the rights and opportunities they are entitled to.” there is,” he said.