Neda Agha-Soltan

"A young girl, who did not have a weapon in her soft hands, or a grenade in her pocket..." is killed by an Iranian Basiji militiaman (Fathi). This death is now remembered as one of the most watched deaths in history, the death of Neda Agha-Soltan:

Neda was on the outskirts of a demonstration in the company of her music teacher and family friend, Hamid Panahi, when a bullet struck her chest and knocked her backward onto the street. Panahi and Arash Hejazi, a doctor who happened to be nearby, kneeled over her. Hejazi tried to hold Neda's blood in her body. It flowed through his hands. (Petrou)

This murder took place on June 20, 2009 during the post election protests in the Iranian Capital of Tehran. Although only scraps of information are known about Neda herself, she now stands a symbol for the Iranian citizens. But before the death that made her name known worldwide, Neda was instead a simple, ordinary girl. She was born on January 23, 1983 in Tehran, Iran. She had a family whom she cared deeply about and a man she was to be married to. This man, named Caspian Makan, as well as her family members, were greatly affected by Neda's death. Both positively and negatively, Neda's death changed how their lives were to be afterwards. Although forced to run out of the country, Neda's family and fiance now work to bring freedom for the people of Iran, hoping to continue the path Neda had took when she risked her life in the protests. This path took by Neda was one of sacrifice; a sacrifice for the hope of improving her country. Neda's self-lessness, strong-will, and bravery toward her actions have contributed to her becoming the face of Iran, an inspiration for millions of people.

Neda's path in life was not for herself, but for humans as a whole. Every action Neda took was not for a personal gain but rather toward a greater goal. Neda believed that, ". . . all of us are responsible, that every person can make a difference" and therefore chose to join the protests for freedom and just rights (Petrou). Even though she knew the possible consequences to her actions, Neda put her country ahead of her own life. If anything were to happen, Neda believed it would have been worth it as it would be for the better of her country and the people she will have left behind. Through her sacrifice, the people of her country would be one step closer to their dream of freedom, a dream Neda strived for. As Caspian says in an interview, "Her path is liberty and striving for human rights" (Petrou). Rather than thinking about herself and her own concerns, Neda put other's desires into her actions. Her own existence was not determined by what she wanted, but rather what others needed. Neda's hope for the dreams and concerns of others, show the self-lessness behind her actions.

However, Neda was a woman whom based her actions on her beliefs, despite the persistence of others for her to do otherwise. On the day of the large and growing movement, Caspian, "tried to stop her" and "asked her not to go" (Petrou). Nonetheless, despite the warnings of her fiance, family, and friends, Neda still went to the protests. She felt as though it was the right decision to take for the freedom of her people and country, so she did so, risking her life in the process and ignoring the warnings from those close to her. Neda's belief in the movement vanquished all thoughts of doubt left behind by reluctance, leaving behind only determination in its place. Additionally, Caspian also stated that, "the demonstrators were demanding their votes be counted, but she hadn't cast a ballot. Neda said the protest movement was growing and would soon target the Islamic Republic itself" (Petrou). Neda believed that to help the protests succeed and grow larger, she would have to go against the government. Once again, Neda's strong-will evinced as she stood her ground in what she believed in, despite what others, even as powerful as the government, wanted her to do. Neda's strength in what she believed is shown as she opposed the advice of her fiance, family, friends, and government.

Knowing the dangers that might be brought upon her for going against the government, Neda still took actions that most would not in fear for their own life. The horrific and violent punishments brought upon women by the Iranian government is well-known among most citizens of Iran. Ex-CIA agent, Reza Kahlili, had firsthand experience and declared, "Thousands of innocent young girls have been brought to prison for the most specious of reasons. They're thrown into small cells, designed for just a few, along with sometimes 30 of their fellow victims . . . Many of them faint from the lashing, never knowing what the guards do with their unconscious bodies" (Kahlili). Despite knowing the torture she would have to go through if caught, Neda refused to back down and hide inside the safety of her home. Instead, she chose to go out and fight for what she had faith in: "Neda joined the protestors" (Petrou). This moment marked the bravery of young Neda as she stepped out of her car and into the streets, not knowing what might happen yet still willing to protest. Neda's bravery is shown through the actions she took, most that which put her in danger yet helped grow the hope for freedom in Iran.

Neda was a woman whom possessed the self-lessness, strong-will, and bravery needed to become an inspiration to millions of people. Neda's innocence yet big heart for wanting the best for everyone around her revealed her self-lessness while the tough decisions she made to do so showed her strong-will. Similarly, the decisions she took also displayed her bravery, for Neda knew the dangerous consequences to her actions yet still chose to take a risk. Her death and the reason behind it touched people's hearts and stirred something powerful in their perspectives, especially those closest to her: "Neda's death changed Caspian. 'It caused me to fight openly' he says. He gave interviews to state media in which he condemned Ahmadinejad and Khamenei. He questioned the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. He spoke to foreign media, and said the same" (Petrou). Neda inspired those unsure of what to do, to take action and fight for what they believe in. Inside Neda, they saw the qualities they wished to possess and acquire. In the few moments that a viewer watches Neda's death recorded on a cell phone video camera, the viewer feels the injustice of the Iranian government, the heartbreak, and the hope. The hope that if a single death can be so known, then maybe the discrimination behind it will be too. But for now, "[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] dismissed those who filled the streets to oppose him and the Islamic Republic as 'so much dust and dirt brushed aside.' Then, as now, he underestimated the latent glory of Iran, the courage and resolve of those who will one day free their country" (Petrou). The courage and resolve inspired by a single girl, one without a weapon in her hand or a grenade in her pocket.

Works Cited

Fathi, Nazila. "In a Death Seen Around the World, a Symbol of Iranian Protests." NY Times. 22 June 2009. The New York Times Company. 11 Dec. 2013

Kahlili, Reza. "Iran's brutality toward women should shock West into seeking regime change." Christian Science Monitor 8 Mar. 2011. Biography in Context. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.

Petrou, Michael. "A murder seen by millions, and a fiance fighting for justice: now a refugee in Toronto, Caspian Makan is intent on seeing the overthrow of the Iranian regime." Maclean's 28 June 2010: 34+. Biography in Context. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.