Up to 96 people were killed over the course of a few hours in Zahadon on Friday. The crowd was chanting anti-government slogans and hurling rocks. They are met with live bullets and tear gas, which follows them back into the prayer complex. One especially searing video showed worshipers who still had their heads bowed in prayer as gunfire can be heard raining down in the background.
This episode contains descriptions of violence and injury.
In September, protests began in Iran over the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, at the hands of the government. The demonstrations have since intensified, as has the government’s response, with thousands arrested and a terrifying campaign of public executions underway.
Today, Iranians who have taken part in the demonstrations tell us — in their own words — why they are willing to brave such severe punishments to help bring about change.
Guest: Cora Engelbrecht, an international reporter for The New York Times.
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