Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, was murdered on Sept. 19 by Iran’s morality police for not wearing her hijab properly by their standards while in public according to NPR. 

According to the New York Times, following Amini’s death the streets of Iran have been flooded with young protesters rising up and chanting phrases like, “Women, life, and freedom” and “Death to the dictator” in outrage at the oppressive regime. 

Women have been burning their head scarves in the streets, speaking out against the idea that Amini should have been arrested to begin with let alone brutally killed, according to the New York Times. 

These protestors are putting themselves at risk of being murdered by the Iranian government in order to spread a message of freedom to express.

According to a report by Insider, women across the globe are cutting their hair in solidarity and support of Amini and sharing videos of this on TikTok and Instagram. This show of global support strengthens and unites us all in a fight for liberty and justice.

As American journalists, it is our privilege and responsibility to draw attention to this story and to publicly make a statement in support of all Iranian protestors who are risking everything for their freedom. 

Women in America are still fighting for their own freedom- freedom of bodily autonomy as was jeopardized in the overturning of Roe V. Wade. 

At The Observer, we believe that all women deserve every freedom that men have, and that all people deserve to freely express themselves through whatever religion, art or study they choose. 

Whether a woman wants to wear a hijab or burn one, we support their ability to choose and to announce their choices publicly. There is no one size fits all approach to feminism and human rights.

We stand in solidarity with Iranian protestors, with American women who feel stifled by our current legislation and with all people who have ever felt unable to speak and live freely.