Chicago activists create ‘Free Iran’ message with thousands of flags
If you’ve flown from the lake to O’Hare the past few days and have taken a window seat, you may have noticed a big message at the airfield off Montrose Harbour.
Chicago – If you’ve flown from the lake to O’Hare the past few days and have taken a window seat, you may have noticed a big message at the airfield off Montrose Harbour.
It is written on thousands of flags, each representing a heartbreaking reality for many Iranian citizens.
“We just want everyone to know that we want freedom for Iran,” said activist Sabah Latifi.
The two words “FREE IRAN” are written on 15,000 white flags, each representing Iranian citizens who have been wrongfully detained or killed by the current regime.
“They are students, they are activists, they are artists, they are athletes,” Latifi said. “They have only one message, one need. They want to fight for justice and simple human rights that have been taken from them.”
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Latifi said Iranians have been imprisoned and, in some cases, killed for peacefully demonstrating in support of free elections and due process. She was placed in police custody after she was arrested by what is known as the Morality Police for wearing her hijab improperly.
“When Masa Amini was murdered by the Morality Police, it just started sparking, and people started saying, ‘That’s it. Enough is enough,'” Latifi said.
She and the hundreds of volunteers who spent three weeks preparing the demonstration want the people of Chicago to know how dire the need for regime change in Iran is.
“This is the first time in the world that women are leading a revolution and the first time we see men willing to die for women, fight women and defend their rights. And it’s all about people.” : children, women, rich and poor,” Latifi said.
The flag will be hoisted on Sunday and should be visible to about 200 planes per day. The Chicago Park District allows demonstrations to last his two weeks.
