Brighton protest condemns Iran at Churchill Square event

Hundreds of people were seen crowded around speakers with megaphones on Saturday, October 15, to make their voices heard about the current political turmoil in the country.

Protesters at the event, one of many sparked internationally by the death of 22-year-old Masa Amini, chanted slogans such as “woman, life, freedom” to raise awareness of the problems in their country.

One person at the event, who wished to remain anonymous due to the danger of speaking out against the Iranian regime, said: “The situation in Iran is so dire. The government is brutalising people and so many people have been affected by it both inside and outside the country.

Speakers at the Iran protest (Image: NQ Staff)

“It’s nice to see the solidarity, especially from non-Iranian people as well. The reason I want to remain anonymous is because it’s dangerous for people to speak out against the government because they will get arrested if they go back to Iran.

“In Brighton we are so lucky because we can love who we want and be who we are, but they don’t have that luxury.”

Protests such as the one outside Churchill Square in Brighton on have been sparked by the death of Amini on Tuesday, September 13, when she was arrested by Iranian morality police.

Anger at her death has since spread across Iran and the rest of the world and has evolved into people wanting to overthrow Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Protesters holding signs as well as the old Iranian flag used before the current regime (Image: NQ Staff)

Iran’s government insists Ms Amini was not mistreated, but her family says her body showed bruises and other signs of beating.

Amir Zolfaghari, who attended the event, said: “In the last month I have watched the news as soon as I get up and I have been crying while I’m having breakfast.

“It’s extremely difficult to get in touch with people in the country. Western countries are saying ‘we support you’ but in practice they are not doing anything.”

• READ MORE: Protest against Iran at Churchill Square in Brighton

Many people have found it difficult to get in touch with friends and family living in Iran as large chunks of the internet have been disabled or disrupted in an attempt to quash protests.

Protesters spoke of how they felt that western countries could be doing more to support Iran during the political turmoil.

One woman, who wished to be named as Rashel, said: “My family, friends and everyone in Iran has always been oppressed by the Islamic regime. I live here but I’m still affected by it directly, its really important for me to be able to protest.

Rashel, 19, attended the protest with her mother and sister (Image: NQ Staff)

Rashel, 19, added: “I’m here with my mum and my sister. My sister was born here but she’s still quite passionate about it all, and my parents were raised there.

“We want to show our support for the people of Iran and for them to know that we’re backing them every step of the way.”