INDIANAPOLIS (Wish) — Iranian protests continue to challenge the regime and many fear a string of arrests could lead to mass executions. An Iranian woman now living in Indiana wants to save lives by shedding light on the turmoil.
Iranians say the regime’s atrocities have been going on for decades, and anger over the death of a young woman after being arrested by moral police is just one issue on a long list. Opponents say they want other countries to stand with them and condemn what is happening.
Some Iranian protesters are being punished after the death of Martha Amini in September.CNN reports that at least one was sentenced to death and others to prison terms. I’m here. Iranian native Parisa Keewanfurd now lives in Indiana, but she says she may need to prepare more, given her country’s track record.
“It’s just a big prison. Iran is a big prison now. Be their voice,” said Keewanfurd.
With about 14,000 jailed protesters, nearly 80% of parliament voted yes or to be executed, Keewanfurd said.
“I want the US government to open up the internet so protesters can take pictures and videos and send them through social media and news,” he said.
Keywanfard said he holds virtual meetings once a week with other people around the world to develop plans for what to do if the regime changes. She says her cousin has gone missing in the chaos and now is the time to act.
“We haven’t heard anything. We don’t know if she’s alive, dead or well,” he said.
The hope, she says, is for world leaders to intervene and implement an interim government.
“So be the voice of the Iranians. It’s very difficult to talk about it. This regime is very brutal. They have no mercy,” he said.
This week also marks the anniversary of the deadly crackdown in Iran that left hundreds dead in 2019.
