Dance for Freedom

Angela Zoumplis in Antarctica supports Dance for Freedom ⬆️

Did you know dancing is illegal in Iran? A group of teens were hunted by the morality police and a young couple was recently sentenced to 10 1/2 years of prison. Their crime? Dancing.

In their honor and for all Iranian protesters, dancivists from 7 continents have been joining Dance for Freedom. People of all countries and backgrounds are posting a video of themselves, their bodies dancing for those who are not allowed to dance just as their voices amplify cries for freedom.

Here’s a partial list of participants:

Musical Ambassadors of Peace will bring attention to the plight of child soldiers who have recently been freed and are using the medium of dance as a way to rehabilitate and regain their childhood. We’ll also highlight the struggle of migrant children at the US-Mexico border.

This couple was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for dancing

⭐️Watch this video, dance for their freedom, and follow step 5 ⬇️

Dance to Be Free will bring attention to the carceral system in the US

Movement is Medicine

Esencia Flamenca

Energia Entertainment

Kimerer LaMothe

Banafsheh Sayyad

Romanna Raghse Eshgh

Jikal Hassan

Parmida Ziaei

Chuyun Oh

Raha Nejad

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]. We want to highlight the interconnectedness of social justice causes.

4. Use hashtags #DanceForThem #DanceForFreedom #WomanLifeFreedom #AstiyazhHaghighi #AmirMohammadAhmadi #mortezahitman #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 (US residents)

*Fast-tracking bringing Iranian refugees to the US as they have done with Ukrainian refugees (worldwide)

*Advocating for the release of Astiyazh Haghighi & Amir Mohammad Ahmadi who received a decade-long prison sentence for dancing

6. Post on social media and tag @rumiwithaview on Instagram and @rumiwithview on Twitter.

That’s it! 

Need Inspiration? Check out these clips:

Dance for Freedom Kickoff

A Video to Watch Over and Over

Couples Dancing

Dancers in Nature

Dancing Unselfcounsciously

She was Imprisoned for Dancing

Dancing in Unlikely Places

Dancing Girls Defying the Morality Police

Media Coverage:

CBS 8’s Neda Iranpour (part 1)

CBS 8’s Neda Iranpour (part 2)

CBS8’s Neda Iranpour (part 3)

LA Dance Chronicle

Cultural Daily