On September 16, 2022, Mahsa Jina Amini — a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman — was killed by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.”
She did nothing wrong. She was beaten, fell into a coma, and died three days after her arrest. Her only crime was existing as a woman in a country that criminalizes women for being free.

Her death ignited the largest protests in Iran since 1979 — a movement that spread across the globe under the cry: Zan, Zendegi, Azadi — Woman, Life, Freedom.
The Iranian regime’s response was brutal. Over 500 protesters were killed. More than 22,000 people were arbitrarily detained. The United Nations called it what it was: crimes against humanity.
Mahsa’s story did not end with her death. It lives in every Iranian woman who removes her hijab in defiance. In every protest chant. In every candlelight vigil held from Tehran to New Haven.

We are asking the City of New Haven to do two things:
1. Pass a formal resolution condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran for the killing of Mahsa Jina Amini and the violent crackdown on the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.
2. Designate September 16 as Mahsa Amini Remembrance Day in New Haven — an annual day of remembrance and solidarity with the Iranian people.

This is not unprecedented. In May 2024, the Los Angeles City Council officially declared September 16 “Mahsa Amini Day.” New Haven — a city with a proud history of standing up for human rights, and home to a vibrant Iranian-American community — should do the same.
New Haven has always been a city that refuses to look away from injustice. We are asking our elected officials to add their voices to those around the world who say:
We remember Mahsa. We stand with the women of Iran. And we will not forget.
Sign this petition to urge the New Haven Board of Alders and Mayor Justin Elicker to act.

Zan, Zendegi, Azadi — Woman, Life, Freedom