Last night, protests erupted all over Iran, and the internet was completely shut down.
I’m honestly worried about my friends and family.
My best friend, Champ, was at one of the protests.
I really hope he’s all right.
Iran feels like a nation yearning to find its identity again.
Demonstrators are burning the Islamic Republic’s flag, opting instead for the traditional flag of Iran.
The scale of the protests was striking, spanning from deeply religious cities like Qom and Mashhad to more secular places like Rasht and Anzali.
In Tehran, protests were visible in both affluent and poorer neighborhoods.
I was astonished by the large crowds in Pol-e-Rumi, a district where prices can rival those in London.
A big factor behind this surge in protests was Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s call to action.
His appeal for action on January 8th and 9th gained 3.2 million likes and was viewed 88 million times; that’s quite an achievement on Persian Instagram.
It’s interesting to see the wealthiest and poorest parts of Iran joining together in this movement.
This isn’t just a left-versus-right issue.
It’s more about people wanting to reclaim their identity as a nation rather than just being part of a religious community.
We wish to be considered citizens, not just soldiers fighting for a reactionary Islamist agenda.
Iran seems to be waking up, grasping for civility rather than the brutality often associated with extremist beliefs.
This is a national uprising aimed at recovering what was taken from us: our heritage, culture, and lifestyle.
This is a cultural rebellion against political Islam.
As someone who believes in personal responsibility, it’s hard not to feel emotional when I see the regime attacking healthcare facilities to detain protesters.
It’s disheartening to note that many seem indifferent to the plight of ordinary Iranians.
So far, 36 protesters have died in merely ten days of unrest.
It appears that many activists in the West don’t care enough.
One major misstep of the protesters could be their desire to connect with the West.
This quiets pro-Palestinian voices.
At least Donald Trump voiced support for the protesters.
He mentioned that any violent crackdown would have serious repercussions for his administration.
In light of this, protesters have even named a street in Tehran “Trump Street.”
The crown prince has expressed his willingness to lead a democratic transition.
People chant: “This is the last battle – Pahlavi will return.”
It really does feel like something is about to change.
No one can pinpoint when the regime will crumble, but it seems inevitable.
The Islamic Republic has tried everything to suppress dissent.
Dozens of children have been killed since September 2022.
Take Nika Shakarami, for example; she was tortured and murdered by the Revolutionary Guards. Her final moments were spent bravely resisting her attackers.
I wish she could have lived to hear the chants of “Akund bayad gom beshe,” which means “Death to the dictator” and “Gone with the mullahs.”
In a future Iran, individuals like Shakarami would be able to lead normal lives, express themselves freely, and protest without fear of violence.
I honor her memory and all others who sacrificed themselves fighting against this oppressive regime.
