Protests have taken place worldwide marking the second anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death in Iran, with cities from Frankfurt to Los Angeles making symbolic gestures to commemorate her life and the movement she inspired. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died in September 2022 after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab “improperly.” Witnesses reported she was beaten while being transported to the detention centre, igniting an outpouring of anger and protests within Iran and around the globe.
In Frankfurt, on Monday, the city renamed a public square “Jina Mahsa Amini Square”, signalling a stand against human rights violations. “This is a powerful symbol in the name of a woman who was murdered in a country without democracy or women’s rights,” said Frankfurt Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg.
Meanwhile, on Sunday Los Angeles unveiled a new “Women Life Freedom Square” at a Westwood intersection, further cementing Amini’s status as a global symbol of resistance. “Together, we continue to carry the torch of the Women Life Freedom movement, standing with women everywhere in their fight for dignity and justice,” said Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky at the unveiling.
Protests on the anniversary took place in major cities including Paris, London, Berlin, Istanbul and New York, drawing participation from the Kurdish diaspora, Iranian exiles and international human rights activists. Demonstrators carried banners with Amini’s portrait and the slogan “Jin Jiyan Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom), a call that has resonated since her death in 2022. Many also honoured other victims of gender-based violence, including 8-year-old Narin Güran, who was recently murdered in Turkey.
The global protests highlighted the enduring anger over Iran’s mandatory hijab laws and broader restrictions on women’s rights. Demonstrators continue to demand accountability from the Iranian government for Amini’s death and for its ongoing repression of women and dissent.
The movement, which has grown to symbolise the fight against oppression in Iran, is as strong as ever, with protests calling for justice, gender equality and an end to state-sanctioned violence.
