A viral TikTok of five young Iranian women dancing in a public space to Selena Gomez and Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ has ignited global support in the latest symbol of resistance against the oppressive regime against women’s rights in Iran.
The five young women posted the TikTok to celebrate International Women’s Day — only to be detained by local police for two days — according to local news media.
In the video, the women defied the laws of the Iranian regime, which prohibits women from dancing in public, and appearing in public without a headscarf.
Authorities forced the women to record and release a video of apology while wearing their hijabs. According to a tweet by a local news outlet in Ekbatan, the town where the girls live, the women were forced to say they had made a “mistake” and forced to sign a statement saying they will never repeat their actions.
Since then, hundreds of supporters have spurned similar videos to the same song, tagging them with #dance4iran to show solidarity with the five women.
Selena Gomez voiced her support on social media, commending the courage of the women in Iran.
“Love to these young women and all the women of Iran who continue to be courageous demanding fundamental changes,” wrote Gomez on Instagram.
“Please know your strength is inspiring.”
Nigerian rapper, Rema, tweeted: “To all the beautiful women who are fighting for a better world, I’m inspired by you, I sing for you and I dream with you.”