eight dissenters clarify why they danger their lives

• Protests in Iran had been sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl who died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s “morality police.”
• There have been mass arrests of scholars, journalists, activists, artists, sports activities figures and celebrities.
• USA TODAY communicated with Iranian protesters over an encrypted channel. This story publishes their testimony in their very own phrases.

Three weeks into nationwide protests triggered by the loss of life of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian girl who was in custody after being arrested by Iran’s “morality police,” authorities proceed to violently crack down on anti-regime demonstrators.

Amini was allegedly detained and overwhelmed to loss of life for not conforming to Iran’s strict Islamic gown code, which incorporates, for ladies, a head protecting often called a hijab.