Jailed Women Activists Urge Iranians to “Occupy” Streets in Protest of Executions

Eighteen female political and civil rights activists imprisoned in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison are calling on Iranians to take to the streets to protest the execution of protesters.

The activists announced in an open letter published by HRANA human rights news agency on December 12 that they will hold a sit-in outside the management building of the prison to protest sham trials and executions of demonstrators.

"To tear the rope from around the throat of our youth…we stand up. There is no other way. This time let's occupy the streets of the city shouting, ‘Stop executions’, and let's continue the strikes with more power and inclusiveness", the letter reads.

The activists issued their call after Iranian authorities hanged a man in public on December 12 over the alleged killing of two members of security forces, in the second reported execution linked to ongoing nationwide protests in less than a week.