In the women’s section of the notorious Evin Prison, political prisoners commemorated the widespread November 2019 protests with a series of anti-regime slogans and chants. A leaked audio file from inside the prison captured the voices of several political prisoners as they defied the Iranian regime’s oppressive policies.
On the night of November 13, 2024, echoes of chants resonated through the corridors of the women’s section, where the incarcerated activists delivered powerful messages against the government. Among the chants was a notable phrase: “The noose no longer affects Damavand.” This statement, made in response to the regime’s mass executions, conveyed a strong message that the Iranian people are no longer afraid of executions.
The inmates’ chants included one saying, “Fear us, executioners, for we are the generation of the gallows.” Another inmate loudly shared her commitment among the prisoners to stand together until the abolition of the death penalty, signifying their ongoing resistance. They also declared, “Kurdistan will be the graveyard of fascists,” highlighting the broader national support for the rights of Iran’s oppressed ethnicities.
Their slogans were not merely cries for their personal freedom but expressed broader discontent with the regime’s approach to civil liberties. They shouted, “Even if you take our heads, even if you take our lives, freedom will never go,” followed by “The regime of execution must be destroyed,” a clear condemnation of Iran’s execution policies.
The central message of their protest was encapsulated in the slogan, “Woman, Resistance, Freedom,” which has become synonymous with resistance movements across Iran. Furthermore, the protesters did not hesitate to directly challenge the highest figures in Iran’s regime, chanting, “Death to Khamenei, damn Khomeini.”
The inmates also demonstrated their solidarity through collective singing of revolutionary songs, presenting a united front. Among other chants was, “This is the final message; the execution will face the uprising of the people,” a stark warning to the authorities of the potential consequences of their actions.
Despite the harsh conditions and the risks involved, these women have shown that the spirit of resistance within Iran’s prisons remains strong, as they continue to challenge the regime that seeks to silence their voices.