WLF@: We have created this petition on behalf of Iranians who are fighting for their freedom against a tyrannical regime. We are here to not only share some key points about the movement, but to also get your help in amplifying their voices. 

It has been about 60 days (at the time of writing this), that Mahsa Zhina Amini was murdered by IRGC morality police. Her only crime was showing a single strand of hair. Since her murder, 314 more Iranians have been killed in the streets and another 5,328 have been injured. According to multiple human rights organizations, at least 23 of those killed were children. There are now more than 15,000 Iranians who have been arrested since the start of this protest; the Islamic regime announced just last week, that all political prisoners, who have been arrested so far, will be executed. 

We’re asking those attending and running the Oscars to bring attention to these human rights violations. The Oscars have always been a place for activists to speak up about any injustices committed in this world. A perfect example is Marlon Brando’s refusal to accept the Oscar for his role in The Godfather. Brando instead had Sacheen Littlefeather bring awareness to the atrocities committed against Native Americans and their representation in film. This became one of the most talked about moments in Oscars history. 

Representation in film is a very important factor in how we navigate and view the world. A negative representation of a group of people can shape our policies and interactions with different countries or ethnic groups. A positive portrayal or any form of representation in film and media, can help build the path for equality and enforcement of human rights. 

Asghar Farhadi, an Iranian film director and recipient of two Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film, has used his films to showcase what life is like within Iran. His film, A Separation, showcased the struggles of Iranian women living under this gender apartheid. The film showed domestic violence, women’s rights (when it comes to travel, custody of children, and independent decision making), and lack of medical care in Iran. The Salesman also focuses on similar themes, but with more of a focus on mental health. There is still stigma around mental health in Iran. There also isn’t proper care for women who are survivors of sexual assault. Survivors of sexual assault also face judgement and are even ostracized in their community; when a women is assaulted, the blame is usually put on her, not the man who committed the crime. The film does an amazing job at portraying the reality that many Iranian women face within the country. 

Both of these films showcase the mistreatment of women in Iran. This is the primary reason women are the leaders of this movement. Women have had enough of this oppression and abuse. Women, in Iran, are fighting for basic human rights and just a sense of normalcy. Women are fighting for their right to choose, their right to dance, their right to sing, their right to travel, and for the right to live freely. Religion and individual expression are choices that shouldn’t be dictated by any government. 

The chant “women, life, freedom”, has been the primary chant of this movement. This is a women led movement. Women and men want the world to hear them and recognize what they’re fighting for. The people of Iran want the removal of gender apartheid, basic human rights (a sense of normalcy), and above all else, to be free.

We, on behalf of the brave people fighting for their freedom in Iran, want to have a star named to honor Mahsa Zhina Amini, with the slogan “women, life, freedom”, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We believe that this act will amplify the voices of those within the country. There have been multiple instances where a star has been named to honor impactful political figures posthumously.

One example is Tupac Shakur. Tupac was not only impactful in the music industry, but also in his community. He used his music to amplify the injustices that were occurring within the black community in the 90’s. Supporters of Tupac were able to gather over 31,000 signatures. Tupac now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

On behalf of Iranians fighting for freedom, we want to show them that we stand with them. We stand with them in their fight against tyranny and oppression. We stand with them in their fight for freedom. 

Women, Life, Freedom 

Zan, Zendegi, Azadi

Thank you