The Iranian Student Association held a vigil on the South Oval Thursday afternoon in response to violence committed against Iranian citizens affected by the country’s internet blackouts.
On Jan. 8, the Iranian government cut off citizens’ internet access nationwide. The Associated Press reports over 6,000 people have been killed since the blackout started.
Attendees of the vigil, including Iranian Student Association members and OU students, lined the South Oval chanting “freedom for Iran.” Attendees held American flags and Iran’s former lion-and-sun flag, an Iranian symbol of freedom.
Farzad Jokar, president of the Iranian Students Association, wrote in an email to OU Daily the vigil’s goal was to inform the OU community that the Iranian internet blackouts are not a distant political issue.
“(The blackouts are) a human rights catastrophe affecting the families of students right here on campus,” Jokar wrote.
The vigil also aimed to honor individuals killed in Iran. Photos and names of students killed by the Iranian government were displayed, along with banners and candles.
Attendees carried signs reading “No one is free until everyone is free” and “The people want to topple the regime,” among others.
Delaram Nematollahi, a protest attendee, said she attended as a way to show solidarity with Iranian friends and family.
“This is the smallest thing I could do, just to show up,” Nematollahi said. “I hope … we can all have our freedom back, our country back.”
Abigail Tessmer, a graduate student at OU attending the vigil, said she hoped the demonstration would inspire people to support Iranians.
“I just hope the OU community can learn to be more open-minded (by) listening to the people that are struggling right now,” Tessmer said.
Attendees handed out cards promoting social media tags such as #IranRevolution2026 and #DigitalBlackoutIran.
“We urgently need the world’s help, action, and support,” the cards read. “Every moment costs human lives.”
This story was edited by Macey Thaxton and Audrey McClour. Andrew Paredes copy edited this story.
