The Women Life Freedom Square in Westwood was unveiled on Sept. 15, bringing together over 25 local vendors, community representatives, and attendees to celebrate at the intersection of Rochester Avenue and Westwood Boulevard.
Approved by the Los Angeles City Council last year, the Women Life Freedom Square honors the life of Mahsa Amini, who was killed by Iran’s morality police almost two years ago, and whose death sparked protests and outcry for women’s rights globally. The event was co-produced by the Women’s Intercultural Network and the Women’s March Foundation, whose ambitious Feminist Street Initiative works to rename streets across the United States to publicly and permanently honor influential women and their contributions to history.
“We want to make sure women are visible,” said Emiliana Guereca, CEO of the Women’s March Foundation. “When democracies fail, they fail women first.”
The Women Life Freedom Square is adjacent to Persian Square in Westwood, home to the largest Iranian population outside of Iran. A variety of Persian businesses line the vicinity, from the popular Saffron & Rose Ice Cream to Shater Abbass, a grocery store offering Iranian goods.
Many of the first Iranians who arrived in Westwood fled the Iranian Revolution in 1979, when the Imperial State of Iran was replaced by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has governed the country since. The new regime introduced a mandatory dress code for women in line with their interpretation of Islamic standards, outlining regulations on modest dress and chaste behavior. Amini was arrested by Tehran’s morality police on grounds that she was wearing an “improper” hijab and later died in their custody.
Neda Pelar, a member of the Iranian Circle of Women for International Networking, said the Sept. 15 event stirred in her emotions similar to those she felt during the 1979 Revolution. Her organization aims to echo women’s voices from both inside Iran and in the diaspora.
Indeed, many attendees of the square’s unveiling were waving the Iranian flag pre-Islamic Republic and raising signs reading “Regime Change in Iran” and “No to the Islamic Republic,” a nod to the origins of the Iranian expatriate community in Los Angeles.
“The contributions of this [Iranian American] community are ever shaping not only this neighborhood, but the entire city of Los Angeles and beyond,” said Katy Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles City Councilwoman for the 5th District. “The creation of Women Life Freedom Square is a reflection of that history and pride, and it speaks to the values we all hold dear: freedom, justice, and the unwavering fight for human dignity.”
In 2023, Yaroslavsky brought a motion before the L.A. City Council to recognize the life and death of Mahsa Amini by renaming the intersection of Westwood and Rochester Women Life Freedom Square.
“It is incredibly significant that this new square is located right here in the heart of Tehrangeles, adjacent to Persian Square…Women Life Freedom Square represents not just the memory of Mahsa Amini, but it also represents the broader call for equality and justice for all women the globe over,” Yaroslavsky said.
Additionally, Iranian Jews make up a significant portion of the Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles, many of whom feel their way of life in Iran pre-1979 was quashed by the Islamic regime.
Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian of Beverly Hills, who is Iranian and Jewish, has been a staunch advocate in the Women, Life, Freedom movement. She has also been outspoken about her support for Israel’s right to defend itself, especially since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
In a fiery speech, Nazarian spoke to the nearing one-year anniversary of the attack, comparing the treatment of women on Oct. 7 to the treatment of women in Iran by the morality police.
“On that horrid day, women were brutally assaulted, dehumanized, burned, and murdered. The same oppressive ideology that fuels the regime in Iran is responsible for the violence inflicted on women by Hamas. These horrors remind us that we must unite, we must stand for all women, including the victims of Oct. 7, and ensure that no woman is ever used as a weapon of war or silenced by fear,” Nazarian stated.
At the end of her speech, Nazarian recognized Yaroslavsky on behalf of the city of Beverly Hills for her leadership and vision, presenting her with the Certificate of Commendation.
Nazarian was joined by a lineup of community officials and organizations from across Los Angeles, including Nazanin Boniadi, an Iranian artist and activist, Elham Yaghoubian, Executive Vice President of the Iranian American Jewish Foundation, and the Women’s March Foundation, who cut a piece of their hair in solidarity with Mahsa Amini.
