Protests women, school girls and university students are gaining momentum Iran. The uprisings began following the death 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on the 16th of September the hands of Iran's morality police. She became an instant martyr after she took her headscarf and showed her hair in public. Her death ignited a whole series of demonstrations Iran. Hundreds thousands of women have replicated Ms Amini's actions to openly send a message to Iran's leaders. They took off their headscarves en masse the streets, on buses and in schools. Many burnt their hair coverings and cut their hair in public. They have marched in the streets chanting their rallying cry "women, life, freedom".
The latest uprising Iran is the result of decades of pent-up fury Iran's regime. Women are tired of being forced to cover their hair. It became obligatory April 1983 for them to do so. Punishments for violating this law range financial penalties imprisonment. The death of 16-year-old Nika Shakarami last week has further fuelled the intensity the protests. Hundreds more have died the past month at the hands of the authorities. An Iranian professor said hair coverings were the tip the iceberg. She said: "There's a lot compulsion in Iranian culture, and so the demand is freedom. The current protests… are engaging students… who are ready to live life freely. They're done death and grief and mourning."
