88R8675 BPG-D
By: Goodwin H.R. No. 302
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The people of Iran have risen up powerfully against
the grim oppression of a cruel theocracy; and
WHEREAS, In September 2022, a vibrant young woman, Mahsa
Amini, was detained by the country's morality police for allegedly
wearing her headscarf improperly; she was killed in their custody,
and women took to the streets in protest, tossing their headscarves
onto bonfires, cutting off their long hair, and even engaging in
physical confrontations with police; demonstrations against the
savagery of gender apartheid and political persecution spread
across the country, filling the streets with defiant cries of
"Women, Life, Freedom" and vows to fight the dictatorship; and
WHEREAS, The government attempted a complete crackdown,
sending security forces to attack protesters with tear gas, batons,
and bullets; rather than retreating, the freedom movement grew in
size and determination, crossing lines of religion, class, age, and
ethnicity; it galvanized major cities, college campuses, and small
towns all across Iran, as chants of "I will defend my sister"
underlined the centrality of women in the struggle against a
corrupt and brutal regime; and
WHEREAS, Over 500 protesters have now been killed, including
some 70 children, according to human rights monitors; nearly 20,000
Iranians have been arrested, and at least 100 have received death
sentences or been charged with capital offences; sham trials have
already led to a number of executions; nevertheless, with women and
youth at the forefront, resistance to authoritarian rule continues;
and
WHEREAS, Iranian women have taken the lead in a courageous
fight for liberty, justice, and human rights, becoming agents of
change, and their self-sacrifice and fierce resolve are a source of
tremendous inspiration to people the world over; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby express solidarity with the freedom movement in
Iran and heartily commend the brave women who lead it.