Unrest in Iran Sparks Awareness and Dialogue

For over weeks now, Iranian citizens have engaged in widespread protests against the current government, drawing international attention to the country’s political climate. What began as smaller, localized, economic demonstrations has escalated into a broader movement, and the government has cracked down on them. According to reports from the New York Post, over 36,500 have been killed so far, as well as many others injured.

The impact of these events has extended far beyond Iran’s borders, particularly among Persian-American communities in the United States, and, more specifically, in Los Angeles, which has one of the largest concentrations of the Persian diaspora globally. For Persian students, the unrest has been felt closely through community ties, connections to family in Iran, and heightened awareness of calls for change. 

On Sunday, January 11, a large protest was held in Westwood, with thousands of demonstrators in attendance to show solidarity with Iranian protestors. The rally, which reflected the significant Iranian-American community in the area, included chants and signs calling for political change abroad. During the event, a U-Haul truck drove through the crowd of protestors near the Wilshire Federal Building, leading to moments of chaos and prompting police intervention. 

Students who attended the protest said they were excited to have the opportunity take part in a larger civic gathering that matters deeply to their culture. 

Amir Enayati ‘29 said he was moved by seeing the masses of people in his community fighting for a common cause. 

“Going to the big protest in Westwood was really great, especially seeing how many people were united and all fighting for human rights in Iran,” Enayati said. “It was very organized, and everyone was together. Everyone was chanting, saying the same things, loud and proud. It was really great to see it.”

Freshman Maya Zadegan ‘29 said that seeing what has happened has changed the way she views world events. 

“Seeing how much it has affected my family, even though I haven’t grown up in Iran, really hit a nerve,” Zadegan said. “Seeing how much the regime change matters to the people I love most. I just really hope to see Iran be free in the foreseeable future.”

History Teacher Joseph Makhluf said he believes it is important for students and young people to be informed about events like the current unrest in Iran, emphasizing the role of education in the way students view current events and how they impact local communities. 

“Learning about real-world events builds empathy and helps students see how political decisions directly affect people’s lives,” Makhluf said. “It also encourages students to become more informed and thoughtful global citizens. Many students and adults in our community have been impacted by the events in Iran either directly or indirectly, and have lost contact with family members due to the Internet blackout in Iran. ”

Makhluf said the unrest in Iran offers valuable lessons about civic engagement and the protection of human rights, particularly for young people still learning how activism can influence change. 

“The unrest highlights how fragile human rights can be when governments restrict freedom of speech, protest, and equality,” Makhluf said. “These events remind us that protecting human rights often requires courage and collective action. Many young people may not think that their activism matters–but we can learn from history about moments like the 1963 Children’s Crusade or the case of the Tinkers, leading to the landmark Supreme Court decision that protected students’ right to Freedom of Speech, that your voice matters.”

Makhluf said the significance of the current events in Iran lies in the inhumane treatment of humans in Iran by their government. 

“The situation has drawn worldwide attention to human rights issues, especially the treatment of women and other protesters,” Makhluf said. “The Iranian regime has also made countless threats toward the United States, Israel, and neighboring countries, and as it feels increasingly sidelined, it may resort to more aggressive or destabilizing actions. It is important to be informed about the unrest there because it could lead to security issues around the world and impact the global economy.”