The team at United for Iran has been busy in this challenging and painful year, continuing our work empowering movements and supporting civil society in Iran. We continued and built upon our human rights documentation and advocacy efforts, and launched another round of IranCubator, our tech incubator focused on increasing civic engagement around the most pressing issues the people of Iran face.

Through it all, we couldn’t help but feel discouraged from time to time, as heartbreaking news kept coming out of the country, heightening our concern for the people, for their safety, their health, and their well-being.

But it’s important to remember that it’s always darkest before the dawn. Today we celebrate Yalda, the winter solstice. I think Yalda is an appropriate day to share our message for the future – it is a time to celebrate renewal, and the ultimate triumph of light over darkness. While the situation in Iran remains dire, I believe that the people of Iran are braver, brighter, and more capable than ever. In recent years, their resilience, conviction, and ability to organize has been nothing short of astounding, and we are certain that nothing can hold back their light forever.

We have some big plans coming for 2021, and your support will be more important than ever. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to support our efforts in the new year.