Ottawa residents rally in solidarity with Iranians over woman's death
Demonstrations intensify in Iran sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died while in the custody of the morality police after being detained earlier this month for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely.
“It’s not just about the hijab, it’s about the body they want to control and oppress all the women, to control the country,” said activist Azin Rezaeian.
The 22-year-old’s death sparked outrage in Ottawa’s Iranian community with one woman cutting off portions of her hair in front of hundreds of demonstrators during a downtown rally.
“Mahsa isn’t the first woman to go through this. It was a breaking point,” said Ramona Karimi, who joined several demonstrators on the downtown streets to raise awareness of what they say are oppressive rules by the Iranian regime.
“We need our leaders to listen and to help Iran,” she said. “The only way Iran can bypass this internet censorship and really get somewhere with the uprising and protest is if the whole world helps.”
Progressive Conservative MPP for Carleton Goldie Ghamari also joined the crowd, writing on Twitter “honoured to join the hundreds of people in Ottawa who came out to support the people of Iran. Say her name. Be their voice.”
The cries for “woman, life and freedom” grow louder. Several in the community say they will continue to raise awareness about the unfolding crisis and speak up for those who cannot.
“No one deserves to be treated like that and a young girl at that age with a lot of hopes and dreams being put through that situation is not acceptable,” said demonstrator Maryan Kayamkar.
Human rights organizations say at least 54 people have been killed by Iranian security forces while hundreds have been detained and beaten. Meanwhile Iran’s president threatened to "deal decisively" with demonstrators growing in numbers in cities across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.