The University of New Mexico Iranian Student Association is joining a worldwide tribute to the life of Mahsa Amini, with a candlelight vigil Friday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. It will take place in front of the UNM Bookstore.  

On Sept. 13, 2022, Mahsa Amini was stopped by the ‘morality police’ of Iran for allegedly wearing an inappropriate hijab, and was taken in a police van. 

She was taken to a detention center where she was seen on video quickly falling to the ground. On her way to the hospital, she fell into a coma and was declared brain dead.  Although she was resuscitated, she went into cardiac arrest and died three days later.

Amini suffered severe blows to the head and skull fractures before she died, according to CT scans obtained by London-based broadcaster Iran International. Amini's family and eyewitnesses say officers beat her in the police van after her arrest. Police and Iranian officials reject the allegations, saying Amini died after being taken to a hospital because she had a heart attack.

Her family said, however, she had no pre-existing heart condition, according to Emtedad news, an Iranian pro-reform media outlet.

The vigil, organizers say, will not only honor Amini but will pay respects to all lives lost through police brutality, as well as those fighting for equal women’s rights throughout Iran. 

“As we all grieve and raise awareness, we must also come together and hold each other accountable as this is the only way change can be made,” student organizer Tina Memarian said.

No registration is required to attend the Friday vigil. Contact Memarian with any questions at  tmemarian@unm.edu.