SENATE RESOLUTION

8634

BySenators Braun, Trudeau, Nobles, C. Wilson, Warnick, Salomon, Holy, L. Wilson, Rivers, Boehnke, Valdez, Hasegawa, Hawkins, Dhingra, Lovelett, Rolfes, Kauffman, Muzzall, Keiser, Hunt, J. Wilson, McCune, Wagoner, Dozier, Schoesler, Torres, Padden, Gildon, Short, Fortunato, and King

WHEREAS, The people of Washington and the people of Iran share a commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, Many Iranians emigrated to the United States after the fall of the Iranian monarchy in 1979, seeking to make a new life in Washington; and

WHEREAS, Washington is home to over 20,000 people with Iranian heritage; and

WHEREAS, Iranians and Iranian Americans have enriched communities across Washington through their leadership and contributions in business, medicine, agriculture, academia, engineering, government, and the arts; and

WHEREAS, On September 16, 2022, a 22-year-old Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini died while in the custody of Iranian authorities referred to as the "Morality Police" after being detained for "improperly" wearing a hijab; and

WHEREAS, The death of Mahsa Amini ignited widespread protests across Iran and elsewhere in the world, with people chanting "Woman, Life, Freedom"; and

WHEREAS, According to the United Nations, hundreds of Iranians, including dozens of children have died and many thousands were injured as the Iranian regime continues to viciously crack down on demonstrators that peacefully assemble; and

WHEREAS, Demonstrations and vigils in Bellevue and Seattle took place in solidarity with Iranian protesters, to amplify their voices and show support for human rights for Iranian women and the people of Iran;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the values shared by both the people of Washington and the people of Iran who seek to stop the persecution of women and violence against peaceful protesters by the Iranian regime; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate condemn violence against those who peaceably and lawfully assemble to seek a redress of their grievances against their government.