Good news, People!
Sometimes collective action can save lives.
At the beginning of the month, I talked about an Iranian comic named Zeinab Mousavi. She was arrested in Iran for telling jokes about the government and the police, and she was sentenced to two years in prison after already spending a month in solitary confinement.
We were told that the most effective thing anyone could do was raise attention about Zeinab, because the Iranian government doesn't like when things get noisy.
Well, we were told last week that the government has thrown out Zeinab's prison sentence. And we were told that the only reason they did not put her back in jail was because of the media attention.
She is still barred from doing standup comedy again, but she will continue to make videos on Instagram.
Everyone who took the time to boost Zeinab's story on social media helped keep this woman out of jail. Something that only takes a moment of your time can be the difference in securing someone else's freedom.
There are still thousands of Iranians in prison for speaking out against the current regime.
Two we were told about are Toomaj Salehi, a rapper who is in solitary and faces execution for his songs, and Fatemeh Sepehri, a women's rights activist who faces an 18-year sentence for saying the Supreme Leader should resign.
Put their names out there. We will post them on our socials. And do this whenever you learn of political prisoners in Iran. Zeinab is proof that you can make a difference just by saying their names.
On another note, I appreciate all the emails and tweets to me from Fermentation Fetishists. I know I was excited about making my own kraut but I don’t want to make a life out of it. I’m not planning on going down a rabbit hole of rotting vegetables but I did want to know how to do it.
Also, I finally finished Tim Blake Nelson’s novel City of Blows and it was very satisfying and well written. He nails the ending which isn’t always the case with novels. It’s a great read about nasty show business.
Today I talk to Austin Butler about being Elvis and having a hard time shaking the accent and other things. On Thursday I talk to Hong Chau about The Whale and feeling left out and other things. Great talks.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monday and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron
Get Noisy.
