MOMENTS OF REFLECTION

Through vigils and classroom visits, organizers praised for helping students understand conflict in Iran

Branham wrapped its first Iran Awareness Week on Jan. 28, honoring those who have lost their lives due to the current human rights crisis in Iran and raising public awareness about the unheard voices of the oppressed people.

“Us Iranians face this reality that we have to live with,” said Iranian sophomore Avishawd Yarisaied.“While a lot of us still have family members in need or facing the brutality of the Iranian government.”

Organized by Tara Kaviani with the help and support from the local support group Bay Area 4 Iran and math teacher Shay Bulgarian, the school put together multiple lunchtime events such as flag painting, letter writing and a lunchtime and evening vigil in the quad.

Yarisaied said that bringing the community together to support the conflicts in Iran makes her “indescribably grateful” for the outlets Branham has to advocate for those suffering. She also believes that this week is a testament to Branham’s emphasis on equity.

During the week, tables with posters, information brochures, pins, stickers, and ways to donate have been available at lunch in the quad.

The group Bay Area 4 Iran tabled the booths helping with the activities, even visiting classes to share presentations.

Bay Area 4 Iran is a non-affiliated group of Iranian-Americans who aim to project the voices of Iranian people around the world. By using the slogan “Woman, Life Freedom” they hope to fight for freedom, democracy, human rights, and change of the brutal regime in Iran.

Friday night there was also a vigil honoring victims of the ongoing human rights conflict in the country. The vigil consisted of a flower ceremony in which participants placed flowers on an arch with photos of the victims of the Iran government as well as excerpts from speeches and songs.

“This was one of the most heartwarming weeks of my life – I really just felt in touch with my community and my culture and my identity.” Kaviani said. “There’s never an excuse to do nothing.

I hope that there’s more tangible ways that I can help than like, bringing the community together, but I’m grateful that I have this opportunity.”

Kaviani is working with Bay Area 4 Iran to bring more awareness weeks like the one at Branham to many local high schools. Activities Director Heather Cooper said that out of the 16 years that she has been at Branham, the Iran Awareness Week was the best-organized event she’s seen.

“As a woman, I feel like every single one of us has a story of a challenge that we’ve gone through that’s either been devastating or something that we’ve had through life.” Cooper said.

“It was just an extremely touching event that I feel brought Branham community together in some way and had a special meaning.

She hopes to create more awareness weeks as powerful as Iran Awareness Week at least once a semester, creating more tangible actions to promote difficult discussions in the Branham community.

— Compiled by Reese Gardner with reporting by Alli Wang

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