The program started with a statement from MCSDI. The text of the statement can be found in the “statements” section of this website.
The statement acknowledged the support of Mayor Jacob Frey in declaring September 16 as Mahsa (Jina) Day in Minneapolis.
Next, a joint statement issued by Iranian groups from various parts of the world was read. This statement calls for:
-Appeal to sever political and economic ties with the Islamic Republic regime, and to put an end to the regime's lobbying activities and actors around the world.
-Exert international pressure on the Islamic Republic to respect the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly the rights of women and religious and ethnic minorities, by abolishing torture, the death penalty, and releasing all political prisoners.
-Prohibit the sale of tools of censorship and repression to the Iranian regime, and impose sanctions on all individuals and companies assisting the Islamic Republic in these activities.
-Help the Iranian people gain unrestricted access to the Internet and remove censorship in Iran to promote freedom of expression, a fundamental right for all people in the world.
The following segment of the program was a mime dance performance “Woman, Life, Freedom”. This performance was a sign language dance in solidarity with all those who have died in the 44 years of the Islamic Republic’s rule. The performance was in the language of people of Iran, not Farsi, but the language of sadness, sorrow, and grief; the language of darkness, anger and punishment.
Next, several speakers addressed the event:
Parisa Rouzegar, Policy and Legislative Coordinator, Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan addressed the crowd and presented Governor’s proclamation declaring September 16, 2023 as “Mahsa (Zhina) Amini Remembrance Day” in the State of Minnesota.
Ruby DeBellis, Outreach Director, Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar delivered senator’s message. In the message, Senator Klobuchar stated “I am with you and thousands of others in spirit as you gather around the world to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Iran” and recognized MCSDI for bringing “public awareness to the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy”.
Representative Sandra Feist, representing Minnesota House District 39B, addressed the crowd reiterating her support for democracy and human rights in Iran.
A clinician from The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) was the next speaker and in her remarks stated that “At CVT, we are deeply alarmed as report continue to emerge of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s use of widespread torture and other cruel treatments including use of solitary confinement, arbitrary detention, abductions and enforced disappearances, as well as unfair trials and extrajudicial executions against prisoners of conscience and their families”.
Several messages of support were also read at the event:
-Congressman Dean Phillips, Representing Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District, stated in his message: “I condemn the Iranian regime’s sustained repression and discrimination against its people, particularly women and girls, and I am committed to working alongside our partners and allies to demand justice for those who have been detained or lost their lives at the hands of the regime. The United States must continue to stand with the people of Iran, increase support for anti-censorship tools, and hold the perpetrators of the regime’s human rights violations accountable.”
-Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Representing Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District, stated in her message: “I would like to extend my solidarity and support to the women and girls of Iran and to the Iranian diaspora community in the Twin Cities and around the world who have been at the forefront of the movement for equality and freedom. I commend your compassion, your strong and united voice and your unwavering courage. Ms. Amini’s death must not be forgotten or ignored. May her memory instead be a symbol of hope, inspiration, courage, and resilience.”
-The Advocates for Human Rights, in their message, stated: “Today, we honor the brave, peaceful protestors who have faced the regime and called for democracy, accountability, and human rights fulfillment, and we honor all Iranians outside of Iran who have told the world about the grave human rights violations happening in the country.” and “In commemorating Mahsa Jina Amini, we pledge to continue the struggle for a world where every person can live free from fear, violence, and discrimination, and we call on the world to join in solidarity with Iranians in the country and diaspora.”
-Steve Hunegs, Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas stated in his message: “The regime's tactics of intimidation are meant to frighten Iranians into silence. But you gather here today, as you have so many Saturdays, to say that the Iranian people will not be silent. Because the people of Iran deserve the basic freedoms we are blessed to enjoy here in America. We applaud the women leading this movement in Iran and stand with Iranians in Minnesota and around the world calling for change.”
The event continued with more dance performances, the first one was dance to “Calm Down” by Selena Gomez, which was made famous as five teenage girls in the Ekbatan district of Tehran performed it without wearing hijabs, and were subsequently arrested for doing so. The girls were forced to issue a public apology but the singer and Iranian women have come out in support of them.
The second dance performance was to the song “Gol-e Yakh” (Ice Flower). The song "Gol-e Yakh" is about love that endures through the bitterest winters and was released in 1973 by Kourosh Yaghmaei.
The program continued by a performance to Mehdi Yarrahi’s song “Rusarito” (Your Head Scarf).
Iranian artist Mehdi Yarrahi was arrested in Tehran after releasing this song which supports women defying mandatory hijab laws, two weeks before the anniversary of nationwide protests.
The last performance was that of “Baham Yeki” (Together) by Sogand, demonstrating our unity.
