{NAME}, will you take action to help free this Iranian activist?

Tortured and held in solitary confinement – he needs our help [View in Browser]( [Amnesty International candle logo]( [HELP FREE IRANIAN ACTIVIST TOOMAJ SALEHI »]( Hi {NAME}, It’s been one year since Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the police after being arrested for ostensibly not complying with discriminatory compulsory veiling laws. Her death set off a groundswell of nationwide protests in Iran. Unfortunately, the Iranian government has only increased its clampdown on dissent and peaceful protest. Amnesty’s crisis team has been hard at work interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence of Iranian security forces’ abuses. And it’s gotten pretty horrific: Over the past year, the Iranian authorities have committed a litany of crimes under international law to eradicate any challenge to their iron grip on power. These include hundreds of unlawful killings, the arbitrary execution of seven protesters, tens of thousands of arbitrary arrests, and widespread torture. [Right now, we’re fighting for the release of Toomaj Salehi.]( Iranian rapper and hip-hop artist Toomaj Salehi has been languishing in detention for almost a year. This July, he was sentenced to more than six years in prison and banned from making music for two years. He reportedly has been tortured and locked in prolonged solitary confinement. According to his Twitter account, he was severely beaten, and he is in danger of losing his eyesight. Why? Because his music and posts on social media denounce the unjust practices of the Iranian government. Because he is a vocal supporter of the protests in Iran. [Join us to urgently demand Toomaj Salehi's release — send your letter to the Iranian Supreme Leader using our letter-writing tool today.]( [Toomaj Salehi]( [#free toomaj]( In his music, Toomaj calls for the human rights of the people in Iran to be respected — and raps about the need for accountability from his leaders and lawmakers. Sadly in Iran, that is a dangerous stance to take: "The government doesn’t want you to make it in life, they hurt your roots Politicians see what you are capable of, and they are afraid They want to take it all away from you They don’t want you to feel your senses, they want to cut your wings, and cut the legs you stand on They don't want you to bloom… Protesters like Toomaj are crying out for justice, and we must mobilize the full force of our movement to support them. With Toomaj in prison and his health deteriorating, we must act quickly. {NAME} — the Supreme Leader in Iran holds the highest-ranking political and religious position in Iran — he can release individuals from prison as well as end sentences for those who have been convicted of various offenses. [That’s why we need to send him thousands of messages right now — will you join me?]( I know I can count on you to take action with me today to help free Toomaj — thanks in advance for raising your voice. Sincerely, Billie Hirsch Senior Director of Online Engagement Amnesty International USA [DONATE NOW]( © 2023 Amnesty International USA 311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to aimember@aiusa.org. We’re so happy you’re here to hear about the most important updates on human rights! If necessary, you can [opt to receive fewer emails]( or [unsubscribe here](. [supporter]