“As long as Iran is not free, our anger will exceed that of the oppressors. Until the women of Iran are free, we will stand by you,” Iraqi-born Abir Al-Sahlani told parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday evening. She then grabbed a pair of scissors and said “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”, Kurdish for “Woman, Life, Freedom”, cutting her ponytail.
French actresses Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert also cut all their hair in protest against Amini’s death.
Amini, 22, died on September 16, after being arrested by the vice squad three days earlier in Tehran. She had traveled with her family from Saqqez in Kurdistan to the Iranian capital to visit relatives. She would have violated the dress code in the strict Islamic country.
Iran’s regime has been grappling with the worst nationwide unrest in years since her death. The protests, often led by women, then spread to different parts of Iran. Demonstrations are being organized around the world in solidarity with Iranian women. On Saturday, demonstrations took place in more than 150 cities.
Also see: Another young woman shot dead during protests in Iran