Sarina Esmailzadeh

Sarina Esmailzadeh was a bright 16-year-old student and a popular YouTuber from Karaj who became a poignant symbol of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising. Intelligent and full of life, Sarina documented her daily joys and struggles on her vlog, famously remarking, "Freedom is loading..." while discussing the sharp contrast between the lives of Iranian teenagers and their counterparts abroad. She passionately advocated for simple liberties, like the right to dress freely and enjoy economic stability, often ending her videos with a hopeful energy that resonated with thousands.

On September 23, 2022, Sarina’s life was brutally cut short. While protesting in Mehrshahr, Karaj, she was surrounded by security forces and beaten repeatedly on the head with batons. She died before she could receive medical help. In a desperate attempt to cover up the crime, the Islamic Republic’s authorities hijacked her funeral, pressured her grieving mother into a forced televised confession, and fabricated a narrative claiming she had died by suicide jumping from a rooftop. Despite the regime's efforts to erase the truth, Sarina’s legacy lives on through her videos, reminding the world of a young girl who simply "needed to live."