On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Manchester’s bustling streets bore witness to a poignant and visually arresting exhibition organized by the Iranian Academics Association. The event marked Student Day, traditionally a day of reflection on freedom and justice, with a focus on the plight of political prisoners in Iran. The exhibition stood as a powerful statement of solidarity with the Iranian people, particularly women, girls, and youth who face escalating repression, including executions.
The organizers aimed to draw attention to the dire conditions in Iranian prisons, where political prisoners endure systemic torture and face execution for acts of dissent. The event coincided with ongoing protests against the death penalty in Iran, which has targeted young activists and marginalized communities disproportionately. The association used the occasion to honor the bravery of detainees who have endured hunger strikes for 43 weeks to protest their unjust treatment.
Through striking visuals and testimonials, the street exhibition vividly illustrated the stories of prisoners whose lives are at stake. The display featured symbolic empty chairs, each representing a life lost to state violence, as well as art installations inspired by the resilience of Iranian women and youth. Banners called for international action, urging the UK government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and close the Iranian embassy in London—a demand echoed by activists during a rally held just a week earlier on November 28.
Participants emphasized the plight of Iran’s women and girls, who have been at the forefront of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement since the death of Mahsa Jina Amini in police custody in 2022. The exhibition also spotlighted the stories of young detainees who face death sentences for participating in protests, underscoring the Iranian regime’s escalating crackdown on dissent.
A representative from the Iranian Academics Association explained the importance of the event: “We are here to amplify the voices of those silenced by repression in Iran. Every execution is an attack on freedom and humanity, and the world must not stand idly by.”
Attendees included members of the Iranian diaspora, human rights advocates, and local residents moved by the ongoing atrocities in Iran. Passersby were encouraged to sign petitions calling for decisive international action against the Iranian regime, including comprehensive sanctions and stronger diplomatic measures to hold Iranian authorities accountable.
The exhibition followed a similar event held on December 3 in Sheffield city center, where the focus was also on daily executions in Iran. The synchronized efforts by the association and other advocacy groups reflect a growing momentum within the international community to pressure governments into taking action.
The Manchester event succeeded in raising awareness and fostering solidarity with Iranians struggling for freedom and justice. It served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global intervention to halt executions and end human rights abuses in Iran. For attendees, it was not just a call to action but also a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance and hope.