Iranian man protests the execution of his countrymen in Media City

As protests continue in Iran’s capital, a Salford resident, has been demonstrating for the rights of Iranian women every weekend at Media City and Piccadilly Gardens.

Nationwide wide protests first broke out on Friday the 16^th of September 2022, after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman was murdered by “morality police” for improperly wearing her hijab.

In the 75 days since then, Iranian authorities have escalated their protest suppression. Mohsen Shekari became the first protester to be executed, in Tehran yesterday, for their role in political unrest. The man allegedly stabbed a military officer.

Despite around 15 confirmed deaths occurring during the protests, Shekari’s death marks the first state sanctioned killing.

Hourdad said: “We have started protesting, as Iranians, both inside and outside Iran, to start the fight for their freedoms of speech, belief and other basic human rights.

“There are so many [Salfordian] Iranians that are coming to this protest, and also many Iranian Salford University students.

“Sometimes we protest in front of the BBC and ITV buildings but they’re mainly in Manchester because it’s easier for people to come together in Piccadilly Gardens”

The protests began as a call for greater reform of the “morality police”, a group of government officials that enforces Iranian religious law. They are responsible for ensuring women are always accompanied by a man and are dressed appropriately. However, since then the movement has gathered enough momentum to demand the end of Iran’s Islamic Republic.

The UK, EU and US have all imposed some sanctions against Iran’s morality police. However, Hourdad said the economic reaction was delayed compared to other humanitarian responses.

“I think [Iranian sanctions] have had a bit of delay because the media didn’t cover it straight away. [Sanctions came] overnight in Ukraine, but there was nothing for Iran. The sooner the better, but at least late is better than nothing.

“Once we started signing petitions, we saw a reaction from the UK government.

“Stop saving the Islamic regime. If there any Iranian bank accounts, block them. If they say they have reason to come to the UK, ban them, reject them. We can’t allow them to live their lives easily here in the UK because it’s not even safe for some Iranians.”

“I have converted from Islam to Christianity, so I can’t go back at the moment. But once this regime is gone, my first actions will be to go to Iran and be there with my family and friends.”