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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The people of Iran have risen up powerfully against |
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the grim oppression of a cruel theocracy; and |
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WHEREAS, In September 2022, a vibrant young woman, Mahsa |
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Amini, was detained by the country's morality police for allegedly |
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wearing her headscarf improperly; she was killed in their custody, |
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and women took to the streets in protest, tossing their headscarves |
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onto bonfires, cutting off their long hair, and even engaging in |
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physical confrontations with police; demonstrations against the |
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savagery of gender apartheid and political persecution spread |
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across the country, filling the streets with defiant cries of |
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"Women, Life, Freedom" and vows to fight the dictatorship; and |
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WHEREAS, The government attempted a complete crackdown, |
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sending security forces to attack protesters with tear gas, batons, |
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and bullets; rather than retreating, the freedom movement grew in |
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size and determination, crossing lines of religion, class, age, and |
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ethnicity; it galvanized major cities, college campuses, and small |
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towns all across Iran, as chants of "I will defend my sister" |
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underlined the centrality of women in the struggle against a |
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corrupt and brutal regime; and |
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WHEREAS, Over 500 protesters have now been killed, including |
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some 70 children, according to human rights monitors; nearly 20,000 |
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Iranians have been arrested, and at least 100 have received death |
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sentences or been charged with capital offences; sham trials have |
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already led to a number of executions; nevertheless, with women and |
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youth at the forefront, resistance to authoritarian rule continues; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Iranian women have taken the lead in a courageous |
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fight for liberty, justice, and human rights, becoming agents of |
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change, and their self-sacrifice and fierce resolve are a source of |
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tremendous inspiration to people the world over; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby express solidarity with the freedom movement in |
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Iran and heartily commend the brave women who lead it. |