(Photo credit: @NCRI_Women_Comm)
Over the past few weeks, at least eight women have been attacked in Isfahan, Iran by men on motorcycles who splashed them with acid. In response, more than 2,000 Iranians in the city came out to protest yesterday, denouncing Islamic extremism and calling on the authorities to end the attacks.
The attacks came amidst debate over a new law that, according to the New York Times, is “aimed at protecting citizens who feel compelled to correct those who, in their view, do not adhere to Iran’s strict social laws”–essentially empowering extremist vigilantes to act as the “morality police” on their fellow citizens. Like, perhaps, by blinding and disfurging women wearing “un-Islamic” dress. Indeed, protestors say that the women attacked were targeted because they were “improperly veiled.” Iranian authorities have forcefully denied that–no doubt less than eager to have the attacks linked to the country’s mandatory veiling policy.
Iran’s president has spoken out against the new law, saying, “May such a day never come that some lead our society down the path to insecurity, sow discord and cause divisions, all under the flag of Islam.” The protestors yesterday were even more clear: “Freedom and security are the rights of Iranian women.”
Check out more photos of the protest here.
Maya Dusenbery is an Executive Director of Feministing.
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