Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died this month after being attacked by Iranian police for improperly wearing the compulsory hijab. In response, we’ve seen protests across Iran.
You might expect the “Squad,” Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO), to speak out in support of Iranian women, right?
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Not quite.
Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, and Bowman were the only members of the progressive congressional group to comment on the demonstrations, but even their statements fell short. “Solidarity with the courageous women and allies in Iran protesting for their freedom. Mahsa Amini was senselessly murdered by the same patriarchal and autocratic forces repressing women the world over. The right to choose belongs to us all, from hijabs to reproductive care,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
To use the protests to advance the pro-abortion agenda does a disservice to Iranian protesters. When making a statement to condemn a specific matter, the focus should be on the issue itself, not a general statement. While Ocasio-Cortez made it about Iran in her first sentence, the rest of the statement detracted from what should have been a condemnation only of the Iranian regime as opposed to “the same patriarchal and autocratic forces repressing women the world over.”
Instead of posting a tweet, Omar posted an Instagram story about the demonstrations. Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours. Nonetheless, her words failed to call out the Iranian regime by name and, like Ocasio-Cortez’s, offered a generic reaction.
Her weak statement said, “[G-d is perfect]. I can’t imagine the agony [Amini’s] loved ones feel. Those responsible for her death should be held accountable and the world should be united in fighting against the policing of what women wear and how they show up in society. Banning the hijab is not much different than forcing one on women. Religious beliefs are personal and should never be imposed on anyone. [May God have mercy upon her soul].”
Bowman’s tweet was naive. “No government should be killing women for what they wear. Mahsa Amini should be alive today. I’m standing in solidarity with all the protestors in Iran and praying for your safety. Everyone deserves freedom,” he posted. However, the protests are about more than an article of clothing. They are calling for an end to more than 40 years of theocracy.
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Finally, Tlaib, Pressley, and Bush, who claim to stand up for women, have done anything but when it comes to the women in Iran who have been burning hijabs and cutting their hair to protest the ayatollah.
This saga again demonstrates that the Squad’s members only care about women when it fits their Marxist agenda.
Jackson Richman is a journalist in Washington, D.C. Follow him @jacksonrichman.
