Bridge of Grace

Iran is a police state.  Everyday dissidents are arrested, imprisoned, or simply "disappear."  Speaking out against the regime could mean the end of you.  However, this does not stop courageous Iranians from standing up and speaking out.  Having endured over 40 years of dictatorship and repression, the people yearn for their freedom, but the Security Forces seek to deny the people this people.   For nearly two weeks, demonstrators in the Iranian city of Isfahan gathered in protest of the nations growing water shortage, a shortage blamed by many on government mismanagement.  Initially, the government tolerated this, but then the inevitable crackdown happened.  Security Forces stormed into the demonstrators, beating many with riot clubs, firing tear gas, and setting their tents on fire.  Sixty-seven demonstrators were arrested and many more injured.  As they were attacked, demonstrators screamed "Shame on you," "Death to the Dictator," "Death to Khameni

Born in the Sinjar region of Iraq in 1993, Nadia Murad was abducted by ISIS militants in August of 2014 along with 6700 other Yazidi women.  For several months, Nadia was imprisoned, tortured, and repeatedly raped by ISIS terrorists.  By what can only be described as a miracle, Nadia escaped and managed to flee to a refugee camp in Germany.  Ever since her escape to freedom, Nadia has worked tirelessly against human trafficking and the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war.   Nadia formed the organization "Nadia's Initiative" and in 2018 received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.  Recently, Nadia was scheduled to speak at an event hosted by the Toronto School District where she would share her experience with students from over 600 schools.  However, the event was canceled by District Superintendent Helen Fisher, over fears of "Offending Muslims & Fostering Islamophobia."   The canceling of this even is not only absurd, but it is crime against human