SInce the death of the 22--year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, on September 16th at the hands of the "morality police," Iran has erupted with major street protests against the Islamic Republic for her death as well as many other grievances. The slogan, "Woman. Life. Freedom." has been the rallying cry around which young people have sought to make significant and lasting change in a country that has been ruled by clerics who often meet protestors with brutal violence. Because the IR has shut down the internet, the world cannot witness the bravery of the many young women and girls, as well as boys and men, who are facing down a brutal crackdown; thousands have been arrested. The average age of these protestors is 15 years old; more than 230 people have died Many of us are trying to find ways to contribute and to help support the documentation of human rights but also provide support to those who are being detained in prisons, mental institutions. The importance of sharing news from Iran cannot be overstated. We also want to support human rights groups that are able to document and support those on the ground and share news of students, young people, and those who are victims of the IR crackdown. Please join us for an afternoon of poetry in solidarity with the people of Iran. $10-$25 donation requested for Amnesty International-Iran. A portion of book sales will also be donated.
Organized by Persis Karim; with Iranian-American poets: Farnaz Fatemi, Dena Rod, Sholeh Wolpe, and Iraqi poet, Zeidan.