OPINION

and even used mass poisoning, which has escalated, as punishment. They have imprisoned almost 20,000 Iranians for their participation in the movement. They have executed at least four protesters. Stories of gang rape in prison are being verified by Amnesty International.

Indeed, this is one of the most dramatic women’s movements in history, gaining global attention. What can we stand to learn from the women of Iran?

The Women, Life, Freedom movement has at least three powerful lessons for us: 1. Everyone can come together around a deep injustice that is taking place. What we cannot abide can bind us to one another. 2. We must overcome our cynicism and believe that change is possible, against all odds. 3. Each person needs to find ways to contribute to the movement for women’s freedom.

There is so much we can each do to help sustain the #WomenLifeFreedom movement.

We can educate ourselves, read articles about the bold and courageous people of Iran, engage in conversation with loved ones, and lean into our curiosity. Consider the risks and sacrifices that thousands and thousands of people in Iran are taking to enable change. Doing so may help you realize that radical alternatives to patriarchy are possible in every nation. If you aren’t yet participating in the U.S. movement to assert women’s bodily autonomy, gather inspiration from the young people risking their lives in Iran and the workers who stand in solidarity with them, defending their expressions of dissent.

As Shirin Ebadi, women’s rights activist and Nobel peace prize winner, speaking about the fight to protect abortion, told us on Friday, April 7 when we hosted her at CU Boulder, “Oppression of people and violation of human rights are like a virus,” Ebadi said. “So, we can’t just decide to be silent about it, because it is contagious. If it happens in one society, it can take over. And it can take over all over the world.”

Shawhin Roudbari and Sabrina Sideris are both educators at CU Boulder.

This opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of Boulder Weekly.

The Answer To Gun Violence

Let’s imagine a gun control paradise where the Second Amendment is repealed, and all privately owned guns are outlawed, and all existing guns must be turned in.

What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty. Banning things doesn’t make them magically disappear. We created a drug control paradise by banning dangerous drugs since before most people were born. The drugs haven’t gone away.

In gun control paradise, few turn in their guns, and guns are traded on the black market, which becomes a violent big business for organized criminal gangs.

The black market does for the war on guns what it has done for the war on drugs: spectacular violent failure.

People who don’t want the expense, hassle, and risk of buying black-market guns make homemade guns. Making homemade guns isn’t rocket science. With a kit, they’re easy and cheap to make. Outlaw the kits and components, and people will mill guns out of blocks of metal, or they’ll make them easily and inexpensively with 3D printers. Of course, homemade guns are outlawed in gun control paradise, but the law is largely ignored.

In gun control paradise, gun violence is worse than ever. Criminals know their prey is likely unarmed. Gun smuggling is a violent business. Black market disputes are settled with violence.

Instead of a violent, rights-violating gun control paradise, what we need is freedom. End the drug war, which would likely cut the homicide rate by 25–75%. End gun-free zones, which is where 94% of public mass shooting since 1950 have occurred. Allow willing teachers, who have training, to carry a concealed handgun, because since Columbine, there have been no children shot in schools that permit teachers to carry. Grow the economy by freeing it from political controls — especially occupational licensure and minimum wage — because gun violence is highest in low-income areas.

Freedom — not authoritarian control — is the answer to gun violence.

— Chuck Wright/Westminster

Other green options include body composting (natural reduction) and water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis). We also offer flame cremation.