On a Friday evening on Sept. 3, 2010, a group of about twenty people gathered in front of the Iranian Interest Section on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, DC, to protest on behalf of blogger, Shiva Nazar Ahari and call for the release of all political prisoners. Under the blanket of the September sky, people chanted Shiva’s name constantly. Holding colorful posters with her photograph and displaying shades of green whether it be in the scarves they wore on their heads or in the color of their eyes, they were all there for a common purpose: to free Shiva Nazar Ahari. She has been in Tehran’s Evin Prison since December 2009, when she was arrested for spreading “anti-regime propaganda.” Additionally, she has been accused with mohareb, “rebellion with God,” an accusation that could result in the punishment of death for her. Ahari’s court trial was held on Sept. 4, 2010. The difficulty and unease continues for her as she waits for the verdict which will be made in a month.

As of today, 27 journalists and 9 netizens are in jail in Iran.

More information on Iran

Iranian Protesters Demand the Release of Shiva

Free Shiva Now! Video of the Rally

All photographs taken by Amna Rehmatulla for RWB.