Sunday, September 17, 6:30 p.m.
Revolution Books
2444 Durant Ave., Berkeley
510.848.1196Sponsored by Revolution Books and the International Emergency Campaign to Free Iran’s Political Prisoners Now!
One year after the murder of Mahsa (Jina) Amini that ignited the joyous and fearless Jina Uprising, we will come together, from different perspectives, to hold a night of fierce and internationalist words. Join with us to honor and stand with the people of Iran, and step up the fight to free Iran’s political prisoners NOW!
This poetry reading on the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini's brutal murder by the “morality police” in Iran, for “improperly” wearing the hijab, will be part of worldwide commemorations. This coincides with the 70th anniversary of the U.S. CIA sponsored coup in Iran in 1953 that set in motion the context of events up to today.
As the anniversary of the Women-Life-Freedom uprising approaches, it has become a focal point in the ongoing struggle, especially against the oppression of women, and over the future of Iran and the world. Inside Iran, sweeping, brutal attacks and arrests by the theocratic government are increasing, with special venom toward the Jina Uprising protesters, writers, artists, and musicians. In the face of this escalating repression, protest preparations are intensifying, with brave initiatives by youth and others. This clash between Iran’s reactionary regime and the people is laying the basis for things to go much further. Former political prisoner Somayeh Kargar points to “the potential and possibility for revolutionary change.”
We invite everyone who cares deeply about the interest of the people of Iran and the world to join this gathering of poets, authors, musicians and activists. We will share our artistry and emotion in solidarity with the Women-Life-Freedom uprising and to free the many political prisoners in Iran whose lives are in the balance.
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Sophia Bazini-Barakat is a freshman poet at UC Berkeley, with a Persian/Guatemalan background.
Armen Davoudian is a poet and translator from Isfahan, Iran. His book The Palace of Forty Pillars will be published in March 2024.
Lucille Lang Day is a poet, writer, and publisher of Scarlet Tanager Books. Her latest book of poetry is Birds of San Pancho and Other Poems of Place.
Marcia Falk is a writer, poet, translator, and painter. Her books include The Book of Blessings: New Jewish Prayers for Daily Life, the Sabbath, and the New Moon Festival.
Larry Felson is a writer and social justice activist. His most recent poetry collection is Dawn Out of Order, 2022 .
Rafael J. González is the Poet Laureate of Berkeley, and professor emeritus at Laney College. Among his books of poetry is La musa lunática/The Lunatic Muse.
Zara Jamshed is a queer, trans Pakistani-American poet living in the East Bay. Their debut poetry collection Neither Created Nor Destroyed is currently available for pre-order with Game Over Books.
D.L. Lang has published 14 books of poetry, and served as the Poet Laureate of Vallejo.
Rusty Morrison is a poet, writer and founder of Omnidawn Press. Her latest book, Risk, will be published in Spring 2024.
Ayodele Nzinga is a poet and theater artist and is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Oakland.
Steve Rood is a practicing trial lawyer and poet. His most recent book is Naming the Wind.
Kim Shuck is San Francisco’s Poet Laureate Emerita who hosts poetry clinics in the city’s schools and libraries. Her most recent book of poetry is Exile Heart.
Tolbert Small has been the “people’s doctor” in Oakland since the early days of the Black Panther Party. His book of poetry Resistencia, Love, Healing was published in August 2023.
Raymond Nat Turner, “The Town Crier,” is Artistic Director of the Jazz Poetry Ensemble UpSurge!NYC; Poet-in-Residence at Black Agenda Report and is featured Fridays on KPFA's "Talkies."
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