A group of Georgetown University students hosted a fundraiser to support Iranian protestors Jan. 21.
The fundraiser, held by Georgetown’s Iranian Cultural Society (ICS), supported the purchasing of medical supplies for injured protestors in Iran by selling baked goods, tea and art prints. The recent protests in Iran were sparked by an economic downturn in December, resulting in a crackdown that has led to over 3,000 deaths. The Iranian government blamed protestors for the violence while suggesting they would use full force to end the protests.
Noor Afshar (SFS ’27), an ICS member who organized the fundraiser, said she decided to raise money after seeing injured protestors online.
“As a Swiss-Iranian-American, I felt a very strong responsibility to help the people and my family who live in Iran,” Afshar told The Hoya. “Without being able to get in contact with them, and just seeing the most devastating photos online of people having to get eye surgery just from being at a protest, I felt a very strong responsibility to do anything that I possibly can from afar.”
Afshar said the money will go to doctors in Iran with limited funds to care for protestors.
“We’re actually working with specific doctors,” Afshar said. “Because they are getting hurt at the protest, the protestors can’t go to the hospital because they fear being persecuted or arrested. They have to use an underground network of doctors that perform eye surgery in their homes.”
“All of these people really need medical care, but because the economy is so bad, the doctors can’t afford to get the necessary care that they need to help the Iranian people,” Afshar added.
Sofia Fateh (CAS ’27), another ICS member, said educating people about the demonstrations is vital to helping the protestors.
“It’s really difficult to communicate with anybody who’s inside the country,” Fateh told The Hoya. “We’re trying to break through, to reach the people from the outside, and in order to do that, it’s really important for everyone to have a really good sense of what’s going on so we can support them as best we can.”
Fateh said she hopes more initiatives will support the ongoing struggle of protestors in Iran.
“This is an ongoing issue, and it has been since the revolution,” Fateh said. “People just don’t deserve to live in these conditions, so we don’t want it to be another hot topic that people are posting about on their stories and supporting for just a few months. We really hope that this is just the first of many different initiatives.”
Doctors in Tehran have documented over 400 gunshot wounds to the eye and overwhelmed hospitals as a result of the government’s violent crackdown on the ongoing demonstrations. On Jan. 8, Iranian authorities shut down internet access within the country, with rights groups saying the blackout is a tactic for the government to continue its violent pushback against dissent.
Sam Baghdadchi (CAS ʼ29), an ICS member who attended the fundraiser, said fundraising for medical kits can provide needed medical equipment for protestors.
“It’s really difficult, because they have low access to medical equipment,” Baghdadchi told The Hoya. “The Iranian regime is currently attacking protestors by shooting them in their eyes, and it’s extremely important that we’re helping to get vital med kits to protestors.”
Sofie Mayle (CAS ’27) said she purchased from the fundraiser because she felt drawn to support the protestors.
“I think that it’s great to support people in need,” Mayle told The Hoya. “I like that they are student activists working to raise as much money as they can.”
Baghdadchi said assisting the Iranian people draws upon the university’s Jesuit value of “cura personalis,” or caring for the whole person.
“For every single person at Georgetown University, I think the idea of having a global perspective is having care for every single person across the globe,” Baghdadchi said. “I think that drives home that we aren’t just acting as Iranians, but we’re acting for Hoyas.”
Afshar said she hopes educating students will lead to greater support for Iranian protestors and others in need.
“The Iranian people are a very strong people, and I’m very proud to call them the people of my home,” Afshar said. “It’s an honor to be able to help them in any way that I possibly can. I really encourage people to stay educated, but also to recognize that when you have an idea of wanting to help people, there is no idea too big.”
