Hundreds march in solidarity with Iranians protesting woman's death in police custody
Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Halifax on Saturday in response to the death of an Iranian woman who was detained for allegedly violating the country's forced veiling laws.
The demonstration, led by the Iranian Cultural Society of Nova Scotia, started in Victoria Park and ended on Sackville Landing.
People chanted and carried signs calling for justice in the death of Mahsa Amini.
“All they want are humanitarian rights,” said Iranian-Canadian Siavesh Farrahi. “We want women’s rights. So that’s all we want, and we need the Canadian peoples' support.”
Iran's morality police arrested Amini in the country's capital, Tehran, last month for allegedly wearing her Islamic headscarf too loosely. Iranian women are required to wear hijabs in public.
Amini later died in custody, and while police say the 22-year-old suffered a heart attack and wasn’t mistreated, her family has doubted this account.
Iranians across their country have since protested on the streets and confronted police, with videos on social media showing women removing and burning their veils. Some women have also cut their hair in protest.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada would be imposing new sanctions on Iran as a result of a continuing violent crackdown on protesters.
The sanctions will be levelled on "dozens of individuals and entities, including Iran's so-called morality police," the prime minister said.
It’s a move some at the Halifax rally said they were in favour of.
“We appreciate the recent movement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – we want a stronger commitment,” said Iranian-Canadian Nargess Kayhani. “We want to make sure that Canada stops these elements, these brutal elements of [the] Iranian regime.”
According to a Sept. 24 tally by The Associated Press, at least 11 people have been killed since the protests began. Iranian state media has said the toll could be as high as 35.
With files from CTVNews.ca and The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.