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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.