News Center- On 15 November 2019, people flocked to streets across Iran to protest gasoline price hikes, and more than 200 people were killed after security forces opened fire on protesters. Every year on November 15, the Mourning Mothers also known as the Mothers of Laleh Park hold a commemoration for their spouses or children killed by government agents in the protests. This year, the mothers released a written statement titled, “We must unite to achieve freedom, democracy, and justice” and they called for unity.

“There is no justice in the country”

“We have been subjected to discriminatory policies for more than forty years. Our freedom has been restricted, and there is no justice in the country. We have faced the most brutal and unfair practices. Our society has been destroyed by oppressive policies but we will not allow this and we will keep struggling to build a democratic life,” the mothers wrote in the statement.

In the statement, the mothers also wrote their demands:

“*Iran should revoke flogging and death sentences.

*All political prisoners and activists should be released.

*People’s right to free expression should be guaranteed.

*People should have the right to protest, strike, and free association.

*All forms of discrimination should be prevented.

* Religion and politics should be separated from each other.”