English rock star Yungblud shared an impassioned message of support for the protestors in Iran this week, speaking out about the turmoil in the country during his concert in Melbourne, Australia.
“Two years ago, I spoke about a girl called Mahsa Amini from Iran, who was murdered for not wearing her hijab,” Yungblud said, referencing a similar onstage shoutout he gave after Amini’s death in 2022. “And no, it is not my prerogative to question somebody’s religion. But this community fights for equality and liberation throughout the fucking world.”
Yungblud’s comments come as extensive protests have hit Iran while the country faces economic collapse. Scores of protestors have been killed.
“What is going on in Iran, this revolution is lead by the fucking women,” Yungblud continued. “And for four days, they have had their internet cut off, they have had their electricity cut off. They are in darkness, they are asking for our voice. We have to be their fucking light right now. So speak, shout, post, because they are fighting for freedom. They are fighting for their freedom. They are fighting for our freedom, because nobody is free until we are all fucking free.”
Hollywood has been relatively muted on the ongoing conflict in Iran so far, though Yungblud isn’t the only musician to have raised their voice this week. Madonna shared an extensive post on her Instagram as well, saying that “the people of Iran have not known freedom for centuries.”
“We take so much for granted. Myself included,” Madonna said. “The freedom to travel the world. To wear what I want to wear. To ride a horse across the desert. To speak freely and not be silenced by punishment, torture and possibly death. To sing. To dance. To choose my spiritual path, not someone else’s. The women of Iran do not have this freedom. I stand with them.”
