"The women of this land are peacefully writing a glorious end to the bitter, long story of inequality and injustice." --ESHA MOMENI on the women's movement in Iran
Esha Momeni
A graduate student at California State Northridge, University, Esha, spent 25 days in solitary confinement at Evin Prison in Iran for her academic research on the Iranian women's movement. She was released November 10, 2008. The Iranian government has issued an official travel ban. As of April 2009, she is not permitted to leave Iran and return home to the United States.
These interviews offer additional insight about the vigil, Esha, and her work. They were conducted by Anasa Sinegal, a Journalism graduate student at CSUN and one of the vigil organizers.
Roja Bandari, One Million Signatures Campaign volunteer, vigil speaker
Roja discusses Esha and the campaign's work for gender equality in Iran. April 5, 2009, 14:20 min.
John Daquioag, CSUN graduate student, vigil organizer
John talks about Esha, hearing about her arrest, and organizing the vigil. April 5, 2009, 7:20 min.
Hassan Hussain, Esha's fiance, vigil speaker
Hasan discusses Esha's arrest and the charges against her. March 28, 2009, 7:20 min.
Melissa Wall, CSUN associate professor and graduate adviser, vigil speaker
Professor Wall talks about Esha and her work, and the vigl. April 14, 2009, 16:43.
Comments From Vigil Participants and Volunteers
"Every semester, I teach public relations methods and strategy to my students. Rarely do I receive the opportunity to put these methods and strategies directly into practice for a CSUN student or journalism faculty colleague. That all changed with Esha.
One of the key strategies involved publicizing the beautiful vigil that took place in fall 2008 on the CSUN, campus. By attracting media to the
event -- and we counted several important media outlets who covered
this memorable evening -- we could spread Esha's message to a wider
audience. It has been an honor and privilege to help Dr. Wall and the
grad students with this important endeavor. It has also provided a rare
opportunity for my students to see what good can be accomplished
through strategic public relations."
--Lori Baker-Schena, CSUN associate professor
"I participated in the vigil for Esha Momeni because, besides the fact
that she was a new classmate and quickly becoming a friend, she is also a documentarian who came to
such a path via the arts. I saw more than a bit of myself in her, as I
have also participated in visual journalism work in Cuba, though my work was undertaken with much
less personal risk than Esha subjected herself to. Her selfless
bravery in attempting to engender empathy and transnational
understanding is an example that I absolutely had to honor on the night
of the vigil, and is one I will continue to hold up in my own work as
well as in my efforts to spread awareness about her case."
--Jay Davis, CSUN graduate student
"I loved that we could be a part of the vigil. Although I have never
met Esha, I really support the work she was/is trying to do. If our
music can be used to affect positive social change in even the smallest
way than I am all for it. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Esha and
her family and I hope she can come back to the US as soon as possible
and continue her education."
--Jesse Davis, The Karabal Nightlife bassist
"I played at the vigil for Esha because her work benefits both Iranians and Americans, and relations between our countries. Her worldview encompasses the spirit of inquiry and the key to a better society. Being a musician, artist, or journalist means going out on a limb to express one's soul. I had to participate; Esha's right to pursue her work is vital. The vigil was a peaceful way to share her cross-cultural experiences and ideas, as well as the feelings of her peers, with a wider audience."
--Ryan Fuller, Fort King
"Esha's arrest, makes me feel how vulnerable we all
are, how our freedoms are so tenuous. It's hard to imagine Esha being
perceived as a threat to anyone - and especially to such an extent that she would be imprisoned. It's incomprehensible.
The vigil for Esha allowed us a moment of empowerment, a chance to let the public about her story and that we're watching out
for one of our own. And, more importantly, to let Esha know that
people are standing up for her and working on her behalf."
