Hi friends,
I need your help. I'm launching a campaign to urge Team Melli and USMNT players, and football fans everywhere to show solidarity with Iranian women by taking action during the Iran vs USA World Cup game through kneeling (or possibly other) simple gestures. Read on for my rationale, and if you agree please help me spread the word in whatever way you can.
How can I help?
1- Retweet and tag your favorite players:
https://twitter.com/legofish/status/...K8ZhMM2fAH0atg
2- Share or repost on Instagram and tag your favorite players:
https://instagram.com/p/CkuLm--pcwW/
3- Sign this change.org petition:
https://chng.it/CbG472pS
Q) There's a campaign to kick Iran out of the World Cup, why not focus on that?
A) Fifa is corrupt and all indications are they're not going to do that. Fifa is a beloved world sport and a global boycott seems far fetched too. We might as well seize the initiative.
Q) Why this game?
A) It's the World Cup's most anticipated game. It's also the final group stage match so the negative consequences for Team Melli players might be easier to stomach (assuming they don't advance). Any joint actions by both themes will be an instant historic moment.
Q) Why the kneeling gesture?
A) It's already a well-known symbol of protest that doesn't need any props (security around Iranian players will be extremely tight). It's also easy for supporters to join in and post photos/videos of themselves as they #Kneel4Mahsa.
Q) Is this co-opting BLM?
A) Valid concern, that's why I'm suggesting Iranian players/fans come up with their own spin on the kneel. For example, the Iranian player in my poster is holding up a V sign instead of a fist. Others have suggested the hair-cutting gesture: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-ne...-hair-cutting/
Q) What if the Islamic regime spins this into a protest against the US in solidarity for #BLM?
A) That's a risk, but can be contained if:
1) Campaign gets global coverage
2) Supporters join in and make #Kneel4Mahsa trending during the game
3) Action happens during Iran's anthem
Q) Not all #teammelli players have been clear in their protests, why would they join in now?
A) We have 20 days left to campaign & press players. Even if they don't join in, the global coverage and action by supporters during the game will raise awareness for #MahsaAmini and Iranian protestors' cause
Q) Isn't this against Fifa rules?
A) Fuck Fifa! For 40+ years women were barred from entering stadiums in Iran as Fifa sat there and watched. Even now women cannot enter stadiums freely.
Q) Who is behind this campaign?
A) Just me, a plain old soccer fan and person of proud Iranian heritage, and hopefully you if you join. If you don't know me, I've been around Iranian football boards since the early 2000s. Every world cup (except this), I've been designing Iranian fan apparel. I designed the current PFDC logo. I also have a history of organizing online protests. In 2004 I mobilized the Persian blogosphere to launch the Persian Gulf Google bomb (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4056543.stm). In 2007 I directed the anger towards screening of 300 movie to promote Iranian artists (before Instagram) through the launch of http://300themovie.info (https://tinyurl.com/3m8avrmj).
If you disagree with this campaign, I respect your perspective. If you agree, I ask you to join me in making this a success.
Here are the twitter handles of some of the 'verified' Iranian players:
@mehditaremi9
@sazmoun
@alirezajb7
@ramin_rezaian
@abedzabedz
@mpouraliganji
@alialipoor70
Same for some of the USMNT players:
@sergino_dest
@WMckennie
@cpulisic_10
@GioAReyna10
@tyler_adams14
@Antonee_Jedi
@headdturnerr
@yedlinny
@KellynAcosta
@yunusmusah8
@thewalkerzim
@A_LoLo12
@Jesusfcd27
If I've missed anyone please add to this thread. Also if you can compile a list of players on Instagram, I'll add it to my tweets. Thanks in advance.
twitter-fa.png
twitter-en.png
I need your help. I'm launching a campaign to urge Team Melli and USMNT players, and football fans everywhere to show solidarity with Iranian women by taking action during the Iran vs USA World Cup game through kneeling (or possibly other) simple gestures. Read on for my rationale, and if you agree please help me spread the word in whatever way you can.
How can I help?
1- Retweet and tag your favorite players:
https://twitter.com/legofish/status/...K8ZhMM2fAH0atg
2- Share or repost on Instagram and tag your favorite players:
https://instagram.com/p/CkuLm--pcwW/
3- Sign this change.org petition:
https://chng.it/CbG472pS
Q) There's a campaign to kick Iran out of the World Cup, why not focus on that?
A) Fifa is corrupt and all indications are they're not going to do that. Fifa is a beloved world sport and a global boycott seems far fetched too. We might as well seize the initiative.
Q) Why this game?
A) It's the World Cup's most anticipated game. It's also the final group stage match so the negative consequences for Team Melli players might be easier to stomach (assuming they don't advance). Any joint actions by both themes will be an instant historic moment.
Q) Why the kneeling gesture?
A) It's already a well-known symbol of protest that doesn't need any props (security around Iranian players will be extremely tight). It's also easy for supporters to join in and post photos/videos of themselves as they #Kneel4Mahsa.
Q) Is this co-opting BLM?
A) Valid concern, that's why I'm suggesting Iranian players/fans come up with their own spin on the kneel. For example, the Iranian player in my poster is holding up a V sign instead of a fist. Others have suggested the hair-cutting gesture: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-ne...-hair-cutting/
Q) What if the Islamic regime spins this into a protest against the US in solidarity for #BLM?
A) That's a risk, but can be contained if:
1) Campaign gets global coverage
2) Supporters join in and make #Kneel4Mahsa trending during the game
3) Action happens during Iran's anthem
Q) Not all #teammelli players have been clear in their protests, why would they join in now?
A) We have 20 days left to campaign & press players. Even if they don't join in, the global coverage and action by supporters during the game will raise awareness for #MahsaAmini and Iranian protestors' cause
Q) Isn't this against Fifa rules?
A) Fuck Fifa! For 40+ years women were barred from entering stadiums in Iran as Fifa sat there and watched. Even now women cannot enter stadiums freely.
Q) Who is behind this campaign?
A) Just me, a plain old soccer fan and person of proud Iranian heritage, and hopefully you if you join. If you don't know me, I've been around Iranian football boards since the early 2000s. Every world cup (except this), I've been designing Iranian fan apparel. I designed the current PFDC logo. I also have a history of organizing online protests. In 2004 I mobilized the Persian blogosphere to launch the Persian Gulf Google bomb (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4056543.stm). In 2007 I directed the anger towards screening of 300 movie to promote Iranian artists (before Instagram) through the launch of http://300themovie.info (https://tinyurl.com/3m8avrmj).
If you disagree with this campaign, I respect your perspective. If you agree, I ask you to join me in making this a success.
Here are the twitter handles of some of the 'verified' Iranian players:
@mehditaremi9
@sazmoun
@alirezajb7
@ramin_rezaian
@abedzabedz
@mpouraliganji
@alialipoor70
Same for some of the USMNT players:
@sergino_dest
@WMckennie
@cpulisic_10
@GioAReyna10
@tyler_adams14
@Antonee_Jedi
@headdturnerr
@yedlinny
@KellynAcosta
@yunusmusah8
@thewalkerzim
@A_LoLo12
@Jesusfcd27
If I've missed anyone please add to this thread. Also if you can compile a list of players on Instagram, I'll add it to my tweets. Thanks in advance.
twitter-fa.png
twitter-en.png
, and/or not signing the national anthem would be grand gestures our player can make in order to bring world wide audience attention to our people's grievances against this evil tyrannical regime who is denying them of their most basic of Civil Liberties ..!
probably true..!!? fk what the IRIB announcers translate it as, but it would suck especially if the western announcer mistake it for the anti racism BLM shitt..!!
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