Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Q: Student Transfer: I thought it was beautiful to see the student rally and students standing together, it made me proud to join a place that cared so deeply, thousands of people are being silenced and shot at by the Iranian government, there were only 40 people and two allies at the rally. For two months we had been asking people to care but the voices only started when the U.S was involved. Activism should not depend on who is trending.

I came from Iran that shares deep history and stories of fear. Women is Iran have been forced to wear strict dress codes. I want to celebrate our roots and celebrate all around me. Hope for women to live without punishment for simply being themselves. I urge you to listen to stories of your iran community.

I wanted to transfer to Berkeley for its strong activism, as I grew up our stories became more graphic. Where women are whipped for simply wearing lipstick at her job. No one spent time talking about what is happening in Iran until it became trending. Iran is finally giving the coverage and being hijacked by western voices who do not understand the history. Suddenly we are told what we should think about our own country. If you care about justice listen to people risking lives for their freedom.

Call for human dignity. Many of us have fear and grief as we go to our classes everyday. We are hoping for solidarity right now. Do not ignore iranian voices right now. If we believe in global justice then amplify our voices.

Tonight we hope to share life under the islamic republic is like. Reality where speech is restricted. Families speak casually because they fear that their call may be monitored. Thousands of Iranians have been killed throughout this regime. Almost everyone we have talked to have lost a loved one. So please be informed thank you.

Q: Experiences are not propaganda but experiences. Criticism of the regime is not criticism of Iran. There are those who are willing to accept uncertainty for leaders who are willing to kill and silence individuals.

Q: We do not expect everyone to shall our perspective but hope that the voices of Iranians be heard. Tonight we ask Iranian students to share their experiences and perspectives. We are sincerely thankful for UCB students coming out.

Q: Over the past week many voices have spoken to what many want and need but many have not lived under this regime. Many of us have lost many family and friends and we still have people behind at risk for their safety. If they are truly speaking for victims of war then we must have room for everyone and not just those who fit our victim. The Iranian people have already suffered too much.

Q: I am Iranian and spent most of my life in Iran. Out of nowhere everything changed, security forces rushed in a hurt people and saw fear replace the music. For many Iranians this is their everyday life. People used to live freely and in an instance that was taken away from us. Many lost their lives and many thrown behind bars and executed and right now as we stand in the birth place of free speech movement many are putting there lives are risk and supporting their lives for the freedom movement.

Q: I am here to demonstrate how existing Iranian republic look like. It is students being killed, it is where people go to prison and sexual violence and media blackout and worry occurs. Where people experience this all the time.

Q: I stand here as an Iranian student. While we are discussing the events happening in Iran tonight it is not a political debate but a call for our lives. People inside Iran have tried everything and again and again people took to the speech to ask for right but met with death and oppression. We are not speaking about theory but speaking from memory. Tonight I am asking for something simple: listen to Iranians. And do not dismiss our questions and opinions on daily cal newspaper from not hearing from the people in Iran themselves.

Q: I spent half of my life in Iran and know what it is like to live under their regime. No one ever wants their people to be struck but this is what we are forced too. Iranians cannot fight anything when you have military rounds against you and that is that we must fight to take strike. We rather die with dignity even if it means having a few strikes against us.

The reason I am here today is because my family had to flee, and lived in refugee camps until I was authorized to come to the u.s. We are here on one of the best universities in the world, I am feeling proud of our country even though we are facing silence

UCB women caucus and see if anyone in student government if a leader who is a woman on campus hope you join to help form this caucus this semester.

I want to say thank you so much for everyone who spoke today. I grew up in America and my parents immigrated here and this is so personal and deep to me and hearing your guys speeches was so heartfelt to me. And we are here actively here and sad to see you guys on your computers so if you wish to learn more we should be doing that here. I really appreciate it and hope you take what they said to heart and to learn more.

I want you to stand in solidarity with the people who are going through this. The majority of these students are from Iran and I was raised in Iran and it has been a painful time in our community now. Our students should be filled with courage and students are not feeling and we are disappointed to see how we are not being supported. They were pushed to go to the senate because they feel misrepresented on social media and on campus or on the daily cal. The administration is silent on this and we need you to listen to what Iranian students are saying

I want to apologize for the misrepresentation that they may not have felt. I am so sorry. I am sorry you felt represented guys because that is not the intention. And sorry that is what is happening.