Dance for Freedom: Join Iranian Protesters by Uploading Your Own Dance Creation
Company:
Rumi with a View
As you prob know dancing is illegal in Iran. Ari Honarvar created her program to bring to other refugees what was denied to her as a child in Iran — which was the healing power of dancing together — and what she longed for as a newcomer in the US — a sense of community. She is now collaborating with UCSD researchers on the impact of the program.
Dance for Freedom came about as a simple way to support Iranians who are fighting for basic freedoms including their ability to dance without the fear of reprisals from the regime. The project now has people from all seven continents (including Antarctica!), several schools, organizations, and indigenous dancers participating in the Global Day of Dance for Freedom on February 10th.
Participants will support protesters in the largest women-led revolution in modern history as well as bring attention to the intersectionality of social justice causes—all through dance. For example, a participant in Uganda will dance for Iran with former child soldiers who've recently been freed, and are using dance as a way to rehabilitate and regain their childhood. Another person will dance with the incarcerated people inside a US prison. February 10th serves as a launching pad for dancivism throughout the year.
Here’s how you can participate:
1. Record a 1-minute or shorter video of your own dance creation. Unlike the Islamic Republic, you have abundant freedom on how to proceed—solo or group, with your choice of music & style. Surprise us! Just keep in mind that people are livid and grieving in Iran and would appreciate that which will reflect their mood. Feel free to do a longer piece in case the press would like to feature it.
2. Preface your video by saying the words, “Woman Life Freedom”
3. Caption your video with these words: Hello from [your location]. Dancing is illegal in Iran. I dance for Iranian protesters who are risking their lives for freedom. Optional sentence—I also dance for [insert your own cause].
4. Use hashtags #DanceForThem #DanceForFreedom #WomanLifeFreedom #FreeAstiyazhHaghighi #FreeAmirMohammadAhmadi #mahsaamini #مهسا_امینی
5. Help spread the word. We want senior citizens, farm workers, garbage collectors, and everyone else to participate⭐️ Ask your legislators to dance for Iran and back the gesture by:
*Supporting the MAHSA ACT
*Fast-tracking bringing Iranian refugees to the US as they have done with Ukrainian refugees
*Advocating for the release of Astiyazh Haghighi & Amir Mohammad Ahmadi who received a decade-long prison sentence for dancing
6. Post on Feb 10th and tag @rumiwithaview on Instagram and @rumiwithview on Twitter.
That’s it!
Ari Honarvar aka Rumi with a View is a San Diego-based Iranian American dancer who's danced with thousands of refugees in the US, Mexico, and Europe as a way of mitigating the effects of trauma, anxiety, and depression.
