Councilmembers Raman And Yaroslavsky Commemorate One Year Anniversary Since The Killing Of Mahsa Amini

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2023

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COUNCILMEMBERS NITHYA RAMAN AND KATY YAROSLAVSKY COMMEMORATE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SINCE THE KILLING OF MAHSA AMINI

LOS ANGELES — Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion to illuminate City Hall and the Sixth Street Viaduct in the national colors of Iran from September 20 through September 24 to commemorate the one year anniversary since the death of Mahsa Amini. Led by Councilmember Nithya Raman, with support from Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, the symbolic lighting reaffirms the City’s commitment to stand with Iranian women as they continue to champion freedom and justice. 

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year old Kurdish Iranian woman, was arrested by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s morality police in September 2022. Accused of showing her hair in public, Amini was taken to Evin Prison in Tehran where she was forced to undergo re-education. She later died in government custody.

Since Amini’s death, hundreds of thousands of brave Iranian women and men have gathered in protest throughout Iran calling for an end to the repression of Iranian women, the abolition of compulsory dress codes, and justice for Amini and her family. In response, the Islamic Republic of Iran used live ammunition and plastic bullets in a brutal crackdown on the protests around the country – killing more than 500 protesters, arresting more than 20,000 protesters, injuring tens of thousands, and imposing strict internet censorship.

“The illumination of City Hall and the Sixth Street Viaduct serve as a reminder of the Iranian people’s enduring struggle to be free one year after the horrific death of Mahsa Amini,” said Councilmember Raman. “Across the world, violence is routinely enacted upon women, upon our bodies, for the purpose of maintaining political power. This City will continue to stand with our Iranian friends, family, and neighbors in uplifting the voices of the women demanding their right to live as free citizens.” 

“This is for Mahsa, for the people of Iran, and for women across the world standing up and affirming that the rights of women are at the center of life and liberty. Los Angeles will always stand with you,” said Councilwoman Yaroslavsky. 

“On this solemn anniversary, we honor the memory of Mahsa Jina Amini and all those who tragically lost their lives in pursuit of basic human rights in Iran. By illuminating the City Hall, we symbolize the solidarity of the City of Los Angeles with the people of Iran and the Iranian-American community,” said Peyman Malaz, Pars Equality Center’s Director in Los Angeles. “Together, let us amplify their voices in pursuit of the revolutionary ideals captured in what they chant, ‘Woman, Life, Freedom.’”

“There is neither freedom nor security for the people of the Muslim world until there is the emancipation of Muslim women throughout the region,” said Salam Al-Marayati, President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. “We will follow the footsteps of Mahsa Amini who lost her life for exercising her freedom.”

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