Iranian photographer reclaims iconic image used in controversial Trump tweet
Iranians react against harsh messages by officials in the United States on the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Only hours after Iranians wrapped up nationwide marches Feb. 11 marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution — characterized as usual by anti-American slogans — US President Donald Trump came out with his first-ever tweet in Persian, referring to four decades of rule by the Islamic Republic as a period of corruption, repression and terror.
The tweet featured an iconic picture taken from protests mainly over economic grievances that rocked Iran in late 2017 and early 2018. The photojournalist who took the image, 37-year-old Yalda Moayyeri, was quick to react on her Instagram page, slamming Trump for exploiting her work. “It would be a great honor for me if this image would be a symbol of freedom everywhere in the world, but having President Trump use it without my permission in a tweet in Persian … is a great shame for me and causes me deep sorrow,” Moayyeri said.
“Because of his policies, I, my family and my friends are forced to live under sanctions that are devastating our lives,” she added, lamenting the travel ban that has affected ordinary Iranians including herself. “This image shows my people and is for my people," Moayyeri said.
Similar outrage was reflected in numerous social media posts that addressed the US president and his policies toward Iran. "Life had never been this tough and without a [bright] prospect before you took office. So please be kind enough and stop playing sympathizer [with ordinary Iranians]," tweeted Ziaeddin Nabavi, a prominent student movement leader in Iran and a critic of the Islamic Republic who spent eight years behind bars after being found guilty of multiple security charges.
