Students March in Solidarity with the Women of Iran
The campus events held in support of Iranian women were organized by a coalition of Marist clubs, including the Student Government Association, Muslim Student Association, Campus Ministry, Model UN, Model UN, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS), and Political Science Department. Source: Marist Circle
“Women. Life. Freedom.”
This is the message that echoed across the Marist College campus as a small, yet passionate group of students braved the winter weather to march in support of the women’s movement in Iran.
The march, led by Keziah Franks ‘25, Chair of SGA’s Events Planning Committee and East End Representative, and SGA Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kumba Nyang ‘23, kicked off on Jan. 25 as part of a series of student-led efforts to raise awareness about the fight for women’s liberation in Iran. The demonstration followed a discussion panel the day before that sought to educate the community and start a conversation about the injustices faced by women and protests in Iran.
The movement in Iran began after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody in September. Amini was arrested by Iran’s “morality police” for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loose. The streets of Iran erupted in protest as thousands of citizens condemned the violent treatment of Amini and other women who experienced brutality at the hands of the Iranian police and government.
Powerful images of women cutting their hair and taking to the streets in displays of defiance quickly spread across social media, but with them came sobering videos of protestors gunned down by police and arrested. Months later, over 500 people have been killed during the unrest with many more arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists' News Agency (HRANA).
As the protests rage on, the efforts of Marist students aim to keep attention on the women of Iran and use their resources to support their fight in any way they can.
“It is imperative that everyone learn more about the situation that is happening in Iran because I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again it – it does not just affect women in Iran. It’s women’s rights everywhere,” Nyang said at the march.
Students marched across the campus green, past Tenney Stadium, and continued along Route 9, their chants growing louder every step of the way. Passing cars honked in support as students raised their fists in the air.
“Yesterday’s talk was really for the basis of supporting women, explaining the situation, why we’re marching and why we’re standing for things,” said SGA President Gabriel Borbon ‘23. “It’s a great way to unify the campus and march for something that’s morally correct.”
Throughout the march, some students brandished signs reading “Women, Life, Freedom,” that featured QR codes with resources to support the movement, including donation links and petitions.
Advertisements for the discussion panel and march distributed throughout campus caught the attention of Megan Brady ‘25 and Riley Murphy ‘25, who saw the events as an opportunity to learn about the situation in Iran and get involved.
“I’d never really heard of what’s going on until I saw the posters around campus and heard people talking about it,” Murphy said. The pair explained that they wanted to get accurate information on the protests instead of relying on social media, so they could better understand the complex dynamics of the situation.
Though the January cold kept many students bundled up in their dorms, this group of activists marched through the snow with determination to make a difference.
“I’d rather have one person that cares than a million that don’t,” said Franks. “I’m so grateful for the people we had and the spirit that they had. They weren’t just walking to walk, they were walking for the women of Iran.”
Franks hopes to continue the momentum started by these events, and encourage students to use their education to instigate change outside of the Marist bubble.
“As Robin Torres pointed out, one of the biggest things we can do is understand because that understanding moves us to act.”
Marist’s series of events on the women of Iran will continue on Feb. 13 with a discussion featuring former New York State Senator Anna Kaplan about the protests in Iran and being a woman in politics.