Thursday, October 6, 2022

 Peace And Truth Heals (PATH)



SUPPORTING IRANIAN WOMEN:

A "MAHSA" STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE

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HONORARY ENDORSERS--so far:
- Prof. Noam Chomsky
- Prof. Cornel West
- Prof. Richard Falk
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SIGNATURES BELOW
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Let the Young Blood of [Zhina] Mahsa Amini Water the

Tree of Women, Life, and Freedom in and out of Iran



SUPPORT NONVIOLENT EFFORTS THAT
RESIST OPPRESSION AND INJUSTICE ** STAND
WITH ALL STRUGGLES FOR PEACE, LOVE,
DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS!


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PLEASE SIGN THIS ANGUISHED HUMANE STATEMENT OF NONVIOLENT PRINCIPLE:

Support the Courageous Struggles of the Iranian Women, Demanding Equal Human Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Freedom to Choose

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To Academics and Scholars Around the World

The legendary Iranian poet / thinker, Saadi of Shiraz, wrote in Persian over 800 years ago:
Human beings are limbs of one body, [made] of the same [precious and unique] gem in [our whole] essence...

SUMMARY
For obvious reasons, this effort is primarily led by a group of Iranian women human rights activists, academics, researchers, writers, poets, and journalists, living in and outside of Iran.
What you find herein is an anguished human rights statement of nonviolent principle that we, a group of academics and scholars of Iranian origin (who live around our fragile planet, often as exiles) have obviously endorsed.
Based on authentic humanitarian principles, we are seeking the solidarity endorsement of our fellow scientists, researchers, scholars, and other persons of knowledge, art, and thought.

OUR REQUEST
Thus, we the undersigned, endorse and support this anguished "Mahsa" statement of ethical and moral humane principles wholeheartedly.
We respectfully request that you too sign this petition, and kindly spread its word far and wide, especially among your academically-based fellows and colleagues who seek global peace and equitable human development--and ecological balance--specifically those engaged in science, knowledge, art, and thought. 
And please forward this open letter to all news media and online outlets that you know of and use. THANK YOU.   
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BRIEF SYNOPSIS AND CONTEXT
As you may have already become aware, since mid-September a significant milestone is unfolding in the protest movement (both inside and outside Iran) that is mainly focused on women's rights and bodily autonomy and choice.

This latest widespread (still unfolding) wave of "WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM" nonviolent street protests was sparked on September 16, 2022 near central Tehran, and it quickly spread to well over 100 other cities and towns in Iran, including many universities and colleges.

Such an spontaneous outpouring of enraged reactions followed the people becoming aware of the brutal post-arrest (so-claimed) "accidental killing" of (Zhina) Mahsa Amini.

She was a 22-year-old Iranian woman of Kurdish origin who had been forcibly taken into the harsh custody of the country's so-called Islamic "morality police" allegedly for violating the country's compulsory hijab, i.e., hair cover and dress impositions.

WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM

However, as of late September a brutally severe crackdown is being practiced by the Iranian security and governmental forces, including the severe restrictions they have imposed upon the people's access to Internet-based social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram. However, some hope that new innovations such as the Starlink system may become operational in time to reconnect the freedom-seeking people of Iran to the world.

Sadly, it has been reported that the regime's very harsh repressive methods appear (so far) to have been able to dampen SOME of the initial flames of the protests. As of early October, such brutal security measures have included widespread killings, mass arrests and severe beatings (especially of students and some members of faculty and staff at major universities) and many other public and private intimidation tactics.

Despite all this, the nonviolent brave chant of "women, life, freedom" seems to be emerging as a dominant defining theme of the still unfolding uprising, now shouted from buildings and rooftops--especially after dark--somewhat reminiscent of the months before the 1979 Iranian Revolution.


OUR MESSAGE TO FELLOW ACADEMICS

A large number of scholars who for years have worked within the state-owned academic institutions inside Iran have courageously resigned in solidarity with this developing freedom movement, while many others are imprisoned and some have disappeared.

If you have colleagues or students in (or linked to) Iran, it is very likely that these events are causing them immense anguish and hardship, if not professional harm, and even physical danger.

Those of us who are scholars and academics outside Iran are obviously in awe of the courage that our colleagues are showing inside the country; but we are deeply worried even about the basic safety of them, and of their loved ones. Also we are constantly anguished about all the precious lives, especially those of Iranian women, who are at risk of real harm every day.


JOIN US / SPREAD THE WORD

Thus, we the undersigned, ask you to join us in heeding the voiceless calls of the tens of thousands of our fellow academics and students, as well as artists, athletes, social media personalities, and even former public officials. Such courageous people--especially inside Iran--have already signed or supported, so far, numerous "Mahsa" declarations, social media statements, public petitions, etc.

So, we also ask you, and all other people of care, to spread the word of this courageous uprising, and/or to participate in solidarity (if possible) in the peaceful demonstrations, gatherings, vigils, and memorials that may be happening near you in many parts of the world, either in person or online.

Please stand with the courageous but defenseless peace-loving people of Iran, who are chanting on these anguished days:

WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM!

WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM!

WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM!

Finally, and in particular, as conscientious people of science, knowledge, art, and thought, please support in any way you can this fragile nonviolent Iranian movement for peaceful change, because our Mother Earth is in dire distress. 

WE THANK YOU.

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Drafted by Mojtaba Aghamohammadi (Moji Agha); Colorado, U.S.
Early October, 2022
Contact email: moji.agha@gmail.com
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Senator Bernie Sanders
Tweet -- @SenSanders
Oct. 5, 2022
"It takes enormous bravery to go to the streets to protest Iran’s authoritarian “Supreme Leader.” But, led by courageous young women, that’s exactly what’s happening. I stand with all of those Iranians who are demanding freedom and a better future."
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SIGNATURES

HONORARY ENDORSERS -- so far:
- Prof. Noam Chomsky
- Prof. Cornel West
- Prof. Richard Falk
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NOTE: Per the "Summary" section of the statement (above), WOMEN are lead endorsers of this "Mahsa" petition, followed by men:
Iranian Women Signatories -- so far
1- Mojgan Ilanlou (Iran)
Documentary Filmmaker; Member, Iran's khaneh cinema (House of Cinema of Iran, a.k.a. The Iranian Alliance of Motion Picture Guilds); Feminism and women’s rights activist
2- To be added

Non-Iranian Women Signatories -- so far
(In alphabetical order)
1- To be added

Iranian Men Signatories -- so far
(In alphabetical order)

1- Moji Agha / Mojtaba Aghamohammadi (U.S.)
Author of this "Mahsa" statement; Peace, human rights, and climate change activist; Retired psychotherapist; Cultural psychologist
Link to (in need of updating) mini-bio: https://www.laprogressive.com/author/moji-agha

2- Dr. Masoud Rostami (Germany)
Research Scientist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research; Ph.D., Sorbonne University, France; Post-doctoral studies at Cologne University and Potsdam Institute (of the Leibniz Association), Germany
3- To be added

Non-Iranian Men Signatories -- so far
(In alphabetical order)
1- Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf (Germany)
Professor of Physics of the Oceans, Potsdam University; A lead author of the Fourth Assessment Report of the UN's IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) that won--jointly with Al Gore--the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize; Author of many books on climate change, including "Clouds, Wind, and Weather" (for children) voted the 2012 Environmental Book of the Year; Co-founder of the RealClimate Blog 
2- To be added

  Peace And Truth Heals (PATH)   https://juustwa.org/ speakers-and-presenters/ brother-moji-agha/ SUPPORTING IRANIAN WOMEN: A "MAHSA&qu...