Audra Skuodaitė - F*ck the Patriarchy

The ongoing protests against the Islamic Regime in Iran began on 16 September, 2022, in response to the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman Jina (Mahsa) Amini, who was detained by the morality police in Iran for allegedly wearing an “improper hijab.”

The death of Jina (Mahsa) Amini was the tipping point for many Iranian women who had put up with the regime for over 40 years. Women’s rights have been severely restricted by the Iranian government for decades – restrictions on women extend to almost all spheres of life including marriage, employment, political office and even leisure time.

Now, Iranian women are shattering the image of being powerless by taking to the streets, cutting their hair and burning their hijabs. They are saying “no more” to the policing of their bodies and to the long-standing neglect of their rights. These young women are so angry that they are willing to risk their lives to become agents of change in their country.

The Iranian women-led revolution extends beyond the borders of Iran. The global Iranian community stands in support with their sisters. They are symbolically cutting their hair, organizing protests, and raising awareness about what is happening in Iran.

Samin Aayanifard is one them.

Samin is leading their own revolution in Michigan, United States. Fueled by anger, they are putting their best efforts into helping people in Iran and fighting a broader system of oppression – patriarchy.

Samin Aayanifard (28), a graduate student at Michigan State University, leads the chant when the protesters march down the University Avenue in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 8, 2022. The protest in solidarity with Iranian women was organized by the Iranian student associations at Michigan State University and University of Michigan.

Samin Aayanifard was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, in a Muslim family. Samin used to pray, fast, and follow other Muslim traditions and practices. However, seeing continuous restrictions imposed on women and the Iranian society by the Islamic Republic of Iran made them move away from religion. Now Samin sees themselves as a radical intersectional feminist, who channels their anger directed at the Islamic Republic and patriarchy to political action and art.

Samin reenacts the performance they did on Michigan State University campus soon after the news about Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s death broke out. They tied black thread around their neck and used it to embroider the face of Jina (Mahsa) Amini. “I want to show that I am trying to open the chains of the Islamic Republic. But at the same time, I want to show that there is a bigger cage around me, which is patriarchy,” Samin said.

Aayanifard leads the chant at a demonstration in solidarity with people in Iran at the Rock at Michigan State University campus on Sept. 25. It was the first protest that gathered the Iranian community in East Lansing after the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, a 22 year old Kuridish woman who was detained by the Iranian morality police for wearing an “improper hijab.”

Aayanifard and other organizers prepare for the Campus Rally for Iran at Michigan State University on November 30, 2022. More than 200 universities worldwide joined the initiative and held campus rallies in support of Iranian people fighting for freedom. Aayanifard is making paper boats meant to symbolize the lost lives of Iranian protesters, who were killed by the Islamic regime.

Before the start of the Campus Rally for Iran at Michigan State University, Aayanifard is being interviewed by journalists from WLNS 6, a local television station in Lansing, Michigan, United States, affiliated with CBS.

Iranian Student Association brought "Women Life Freedom" T-shirts for participants to purchase at the Campus Rally for Iran at Michigan State University.

Aayanifard and other organizers of the Campus Rally for Iran at Michigan State University hug each other while singing the Iranian protest song “Baraye,” which means “because of” in Farsi. The song was written by Shervin Hajipour, who composed the lyrics using messages that Iranians posted online about why they are protesting.

Aayanifard and another Iranian student bring the stand and posters back to the International Center at Michigan State University after the Campus Rally for Iran on November 30, 2022.

Aayanifard joins other Iranians who helped organize the Campus Rally for Iran at Michigan State University for dinner at a bar after the event.

Aayanifard complains about the conservative-leaning criticisms they received from more some of the attendees of Campus Rally for Iran at Michigan State University.

Aayanifard tenders their hair that they cut amidst growing protests in Iran in October 2022. Many Iranian women around the world cut their hair as a symbol of resistance against oppression and compulsory hijab for women in Iran.