We have been communicating with the New Haven City Council on an official resolution to recognize September 16 annually as a day of solidarity with Iranians, and we have also pushed the City to start the process for adopting a policy allowing us to officially raise the lion and sun flag on the city's flag pole.

Currently, they only allow the regime's flag for official flag-raisings. Your support shows the City policymakers that this recognition and flag-raising is very important to our community.

Resolution text:

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 16 AS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MAHSA
“JINA” AMINI AND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF IRAN

WHEREAS, the City of New Haven is home to a vibrant Iranian-American community, including
students, scholars, professionals, and families, who contribute to the civic, academic, and cultural life
of the city; and

WHEREAS, on September 16, 2022, Mahsa “Jina” Amini, a twenty-two-year-old Kurdish Iranian
woman, died in the custody of Iran's morality police in Tehran, days after her arrest for an alleged
violation of the country's mandatory hijab law; and

WHEREAS, her death sparked the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, a nationwide movement in Iran
and among Iranians around the world calling for fundamental human rights, equality, and dignity; and

WHEREAS, beginning on December 28, 2025, Iran experienced its largest wave of nationwide protests
since 2022, in which demonstrators across the country widely displayed Iran's historic Lion and Sun
flag as a symbol of national identity and opposition to the ruling government; and

WHEREAS, Time, The Guardian, and Iran International, citing local health officials in Iran, reported that
as many as 36,500 protesters have been killed by the regime during the crackdown of January 8 and 9, 2026
alone, a figure far exceeding the government's official count, and making this period among
the deadliest in the history of the Islamic Republic; and

WHEREAS, communities across the United States and around the world, including many U.S. cities,
have marked September 16 with official recognition and remembrances in solidarity with the people
of Iran; and

WHEREAS, the City of New Haven values its Iranian-American residents and stands with all people,
everywhere, who peacefully seek freedom, equality, and human dignity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Haven City Council hereby recognizes
September 16 of each year as a Day of Remembrance for Mahsa “Jina” Amini and in solidarity with
the people of Iran, and encourages the people of New Haven to observe the day in a manner
consistent with these purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council recognizes the Lion and Sun flag's significance to
the Iranian people as a symbol displayed by pro-democracy demonstrators in Iran during the protests
of December 2025 and January 2026 and in the years prior, and welcomes its respectful display by the
Iranian-American community at City-sponsored or City-permitted observances of this day; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the
Yale Alliance for Solidarity with Iran, to Lion & Sun Corporation, and to such other organizations as
the Council may direct.

Prepared for the Council's consideration by the Yale Alliance for Solidarity with Iran (YASI) and Lion &
Sun Corporation, on behalf of New Haven's Iranian-American community.