Many people in today’s day and age know Iran to be the “Islamic Republic of Iran” But what if I told you Iran was not always known by this name. Pre-Iranian revolution of 1979 Iran was known as the “Imperial State of Iran” Just to show some of the main differences between the current regime made by Ayatollah Khomeini, and former leader of the Imperial state, The “Shah of Iran” Translating to king of Iran, was under the Islamic Republic women will be raped, beaten to death, and tortured by the “Morality police” for not wearing a Hijab which is mandated by the Iranian government. Before the revolution The Shah provided free healthcare for all residents of its country, equal rights for men and women along with optional Hijabs for women, and most of all peace. Iran was one of the most peaceful countries in the entire world and not to forget that it was a heavy tourist attraction as well.

On September 13th of 2022 The Iranian “Morality police” arrested and detained a 22 year old woman by the name of Mahsa Amini. The reasoning for her arrest according to the police was that she was not complying with the nation's rules of wearing a Hijab as mandated. Mahsa Amini died three days later on September 16th and according to information obtained by Vogue magazine regarding what Iranian officials said they stated “ Amini died of a heart attack at the detention center where she was being held to be educated on hijab laws” Amini’s family claims that she was in perfect health upon arrival to the detention center. Many people are furious with the Iranian regime because videos immediately surfaced online of the Iranian forces beating Mahsa with batons and repeatedly kicking her in the head before she was taken into custody. Images also surfaced of Amini’s deformed face filled with bruises, cuts and inflammation while she was in the hospital.

Once news broke out about Amini’s death the country of Iran erupted in protests and calls for other world leaders to take down the regime. Protests started immediately and still even five months later are going strong all around the world. My family and I have attended almost every protest that has taken place in Glendale, Downtown Los Angeles, as well as the ones in Orange County. Luckily for us we are able to voice our opinions here in this country by peaceful protest, in Iran they do not share that same luxury. According to the Los Angeles Times article written in November of 2022 by Shervin Malekzadeh, 326 people have been killed along with 43 children being murdered since protests started fighting for justice regarding Mahsa Amini.One thing that my family along with the Iranian people have to look forward to is the world wide recognition from other countries and their support for the Iranian people. Many places such as Germany, Paris, and Canada have publicly showed their support for the Iranians, Berlin held the largest Protest support group worldwide in honor of Mahsa Amini while the Eiffel tower in Paris had written in french “Woman, Life, Freedom” which has been the popular slogan that protesters have been using to support the Iranian people. Perhaps the most important and beloved act that the Iranians have seen in their support has been the gesture from the United States Soccer Federation in deleting the Islamic Republic's emblem in the Iranian flag and leaving it blank with just the country's colors. This act has truly given the Iranian people hope that one day the current regime will fall and the country will once again be free and peaceful. 

Coming from a fully Iranian family which is quite rare as I have seen living in Glendale for eighteen years, this really hits home and hits hard. Before the Revolution of 1979, My grandfather had been a Pilot for the Shah of Iran. If the Shah was needed somewhere in the country my grandfather was the one to fly him via cargobob and bring him back safely. My Mother along with my aunts and uncles have seen the Shah up close and personally as he was congratulating my grandfather to become a colonel. My grandfather unfortunately never got to command that post as the revolution took place shortly after and he fled to the United states with his family as he refused to work under the Mullahs. My grandfather along with my father who ended up marrying my mother got along very well because they both had a love and passion for their country. My father was a political activist and led all of the protests in the Southern California area for years and years calling for the Islamic Republic to be taken down. Both my father and grandfather have passed away in the past three years and I know had they been here today they would have been doing everything they could to help expand the movement and free Iran. Understanding who the older men in our life were, my older brother and I feel a responsibility to carry both of their last names properly and continue to protest and fight for Iranian justice. I have received continuous support from the big Armenian community in Glendale, especially from my two best friends who happen to be Russian-Armenian, and the other, Persian-Armenian. My goal in writing this petition is to ask for help from anyone reading this letter, please assist me in helping free my homeland and saving the lives of innocent boys and girls who are being raped, and executed as a punishment to their parents for standing up for equal rights and justice. Just one signature will lead to hundreds and even thousands or more in helping me spread this message and save a once beautiful country from becoming a third world country.

My dream is to go back to Iran one day with my whole family so I can get to experience and appreciate the homeland they so highly talk about and to know that I did my part in helping free Iran and making my Father, and Grandfather proud.