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Bellevue demonstrators protest Iranian woman's death


Peaceful demonstrations were held in downtown Bellevue over the weekend to protest the death of an Iranian woman who died after being arrested by the country's morality police.

RELATED: Protests in Iran reach 10th night

"Say her name: 'Masha Amini.' Say her name: 'Masha Amini,'" the crowd chanted.

Read more about the Bellevue protest here.

Masha Amini was 22 when she died days after she was arrested in early September for not wearing her hijab properly. Police say she died of a heart attack, but supporters, and her family, allege police beat her to death.

Since Amini's passing, demonstrations have erupted in 42 Iranian cities, the Associated Press reports. Some women have reportedly burned their hijabs and cut their hair short in protest.

In addition to calling for justice and change, protesters in Bellevue and around the world are calling on the Iranian government to open up internet access so people within Iran can tell the world what's going on in their country.

According to the Associated Press, the Iranian government "cut most internet access for its 80 million citizens during a crackdown on demonstrators." In response, the U.S. Treasury Department has started allowing tech companies to expand operations in Iran, specifically with social media, video conferencing, and similar services.

RELATED: Why authorities can't quell the protests in Iran

RELATED: The Iranian government plans to use military force on protestors

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