Officials illuminated City Hall in honor of Mahsa Amini after she was killed by the country’s morality police. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the killing on Sept. 16, 2022, of Mahsa Amini by Iran’s morality police for violating the country’s hijab law, the Beverly Hills City Council passed a new resolution affirming its commitment to Iran’s protest movement, even as democratic reforms remain elusive a year later.

“Since the passing of Mahsa and the first woman-led revolution, there’s been great strides that have been made, and there’s still a long way to go,” Councilwoman Sharona Nazarian said during the Sept. 12 City Council meeting. “We not only represent our community, but we also stand united as guardians of the principles that are important to our society: justice, human rights and equality.”

She urged residents to use social media to amplify the stories of Iranians fighting for justice, and to pressure politicians to oppose the Iranian government, including by enforcing sanctions.

“Let us bear in mind that our actions today are not only seeking justice for Mahsa, but also carry the weight of our responsibilities to safeguard the rights of those around us, regardless of their gender, background, religion or belief,” Nazarian said.

She also encouraged residents to attend a protest on Sept. 16 in downtown Los Angeles in honor of Amini.

The resolution recognizes the deaths of Sarina Esmaeilzadeh, Nika Shakarami and the more than 500 Iranians who have been killed on the streets of Iran, the tens of thousands of Iranians who have been sent to jail and the dozens more awaiting potential execution for demonstrating in the streets of Iran.

It also reiterates the council’s strong condemnation of the Iranian regime, supports economic sanctions against the Iranian government and morality police, and demands that the United States ceases all prisoner exchanges with Iran.