Across Canada and around the world, protesters stood side by side on Saturday in solidarity with women's rights and freedom in Iran, as the country entered its third consecutive week of loud protests sparked by the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody in Iran. From Vancouver to Halifax, tens of thousands took to the streets across Canada this weekend, with protesters in Richmond Hill, Ontario, flooding Young Street, where some carried signs with slogans including "Free Iran." Meanwhile, in Halifax, hundreds took to the streets waving flags and banners demanding justice. Iranian-Canadian Siavash Farahi told CTV News Atlantic that "all Iranians want is to enjoy their human rights, and they also need the support of the Canadian people."

Amini is the 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who died last month after being detained by the morality police for not wearing the hijab properly according to their laws, where she was arrested simply because her hijab was too loose. Amini's death also sparked a fierce public protest in Iran, starting from her funeral and then spreading across 31 provinces, where protesters demanded the overthrow of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But this challenge unleashed a harsh response from Iranian security forces, with Amnesty International stating that the government crackdown resulted in the deaths of at least 52 people and injured hundreds more. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi described the protests as unacceptable chaos that needs to be suppressed, claiming they are fueled by the self-interest of foreign countries such as the United States. However, those participating in today's global protests say they stand in solidarity not only with Iranian women but with all those deprived of human rights.

Also, Iranian-Canadians for Justice and Human Rights said in a press release following the Toronto march: "This event aims to echo the voices of Iranians loudly," where activist Azan Rezaian said at a large gathering in Ottawa earlier this week: "It's not just about the hijab, but about the body." As for today's global protests, the number of participants was estimated in more than 150 cities – a mass show of support for those fighting for freedom in Iran.