On the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, Coquitlam became a stage for reflection and resolve.

The event at Coquitlam Library brought together Iranian activists, scholars, and community leaders to examine the evolution of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement—from a nationwide uprising in Iran to a global call for human rights, with Vancouver and its surrounding communities emerging as central hubs.

Vancouver’s Voice on the World Stage

Panelists including lawyers, organizers, academics, and labor activists spoke of the city’s unique role in sustaining the movement. Abbas Mandegar, organizer of Vancouver’s weekly “Protest Saturdays,” and women’s rights advocate Tahmineh Sadegi noted that protests once drew crowds of over 20,000, proving the diaspora’s voice resonates internationally, even when met with silence from officials.

Reclaiming Women’s Identity

Psychologist Dr. Poran Poregbal, who wrote her doctoral thesis on the movement, argued that its core is not merely opposition to the hijab but a sweeping cultural and social shift. She called it a “secularist movement” that has enabled Iranian women to reclaim suppressed identities and reshape their national consciousness.

Human Rights as a Universal Duty

Human rights lawyer Rozhyar Pooyeh stressed that defending fundamental freedoms transcends nationality or borders, urging international accountability for Iran’s systemic violations. Activist Zhino Ebrahini spotlighted the urgent need to save political prisoners, including three woman warning that raising public awareness is often the only way to resist the regime’s “normalized” executions. Azadeh Nejati further emphasized the critical role of amplifying the names and stories of lesser-known detainees.

Navigating Challenges Ahead

Despite divisions among opposition groups, panelists remained hopeful. Labor activist Masoud Arjang, the first Iranian to hold an executive role in a major B.C. union, framed polarization as a natural phase toward unity. Closing the discussion, Reza Hooshmand, a social and human rights advocate, emphasized that the enduring strength of Woman, Life, Freedom lies in its rare ability to unite diverse communities under one banner.

Journalist: Majid Mahichi

Skyrise Media Society