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Ongoing Protests In Iran Echo A Century-Old Revolution

Ongoing Protests In Iran Echo A Century-Old Revolution

TOPSHOT - Women chant slogans and hold up signs depicting the image of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of Iranian authorities, during a demonstration denouncing her death by Iraqi and Iranian Kurds outside the UN offices in Arbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, on September 24, 2022. - Angry demonstrators have taken to the streets of major cities across Iran, including the capital Tehran, for eight straight nights since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. The Kurdish woman was pronounced dead after spending three days in a coma following her arrest by Iran’s feared morality police for wearing the hijab headscarf in an “improper” way. (Photo by SAFIN HAMED / AFP) (Photo by SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images)

SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images

It's been more than a month since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being detained by Iran's morality police – allegedly for breaking the rule requiring women to wear a hijab. Her death sparked protests that continue to this day.

Women and girls have been at the forefront of the demonstrations, often removing and burning their hijabs in defiance of the authorities.

We hear from some of the protesters themselves. And we talk to Iranian-American writer Reza Aslan, who tells us that what we are seeing today echoes a revolution that took place in Iran more than a century ago.

In participating regions, you’ll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what’s going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

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