RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TO FREE EXPRESSION
AND STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF IRAN

WHEREAS a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died after being arrested by the morality police
for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code for women on September 16, 2022, reportedly for alleged
improper wearing of the hejab, and in response to her death protesters have taken to the streets in
more than 50 cities, towns and villages across Iran and reports indicate that Iranian security forces have
used lethal force in arresting more than 1,200+ people and killed as many as 87+ people during the
demonstrations; and
WHEREAS Iranian women are at risk of suffering brutality and death for perceived violations of a dress
code imposed on them by others; and
WHEREAS, The Iranian government has also restricted the internet, cutting access to Instagram and
WhatsApp to prevent communication, access to information, freedom of expression to repress the
rights of Iranian citizens, journalists, and human rights defenders;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Santa Clara County Democratic Party stands with the people
of Iran, particularly women, who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests an oppressive and
corrupt regime, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Santa Clara County Democratic Party condemns those who have
routinely and systematically violated human rights, restricted freedom of peaceful assembly and
association and freedom of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures of media outlets,
arrests of journalists, and censorship of expression in online forums, and we call on the Iranian
government and security forces to cease their attacks on (and killing of) those protesting Mahsa Amini’s
death, for a thorough and unfettered investigation by a trusted international body into the
circumstances of her arrest and cause of death, and full accountability for all those determined to have
been responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini and the 87 others, and growing, who have subsequently
been killed.

Co-authors: Nima Rahimi, Ladan Manteghi, Shebreh Kalantari- Johnson (Councilmember, City
of Santa Cruz), Tony Khoshaba, Sousan Manteghi-Safakish
Co-Sponsors: Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, State
Senator Dave Cortese, Richard Constantine ( Mayor City of Morgan Hill), Gail L. Pellerin (
Candidate Assembly District 28), Dr. Shokooh Miry, Edesa Bitbadal, Ryan
Khojasteh, Amar Shergill (chair of Progressive Caucus -Ca. Dem Party), Mahnaz
Moghaddam, Sina Ferdosi, Leslie Austin ( Chair of the SBCDCC ), Aisha Wahab CouncilMember city of Hayward (Candidate Senate State of California ), Jean Cohen ( Vice-Chair
of Santa Clara County Dem. Party), Maimona Afzal Berta (Board Member, FranklinMcKinley School District- Candidate for Santa Clara County Board of Education, Area 6
), Carol Garvey, Andrew Goldenkranz ( Santa Cruz County Dem. Party chair), Katherine
Chavez Napoli, Joanne Fierro, Armando Benavides
Political Org. Co-Sponsor: SCCDP ( Santa Clara County Dem. Party), SMCDP ( San
Mateo County Democratic Party), Baiad (Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats) ,ADBA
( Assyrian Democrats of Bay Area), SVDC ( Silicon Valley Democratic Club)