Iran’s women’s soccer team was in Australia when war broke out.
The team was deeply divided on what to do. Eventually, they chose to remain silent during their national anthem as a protest (not having human rights, forced to wear headscarves in public, women can’t even attend public soccer games in Iran). Iran state media declared them “wartime traitors,” which carries the death penalty. The team buckled. They sang the national anthem for the next two remaining games.
Hanging over their heads were expensive bonds. All athletes had to purchase them to leave Iran and ensure their return. Some of their homes were financially-backed on these bonds. Family members were jailed. One player’s mother messaged, “Don’t come back … they will kill you!” On the team bus to the hotel, one player seen through the window made the international “save me” hand signal to onlookers.
Of 26 team members, 6 decided to make a dangerous run for freedom. Even though Iran’s security had the hotel in lockdown, they used the unnoticed below-ground parking lot as the way to escape. Guards ran after them but couldn’t stop them in time before the women ran into an Australian delegation waiting for any escapees. Days later, four of the six recanted and rejected their asylum and flew back home. It’s speculated that one of the two remaining (the team leader) was a mole who joined the escapees only to turn them later. This is a surveillance state tactic. Not all liberty stories have happy endings. Our hearts go out to the team.
— Remember, the fact that 30 countries require travel bonds for visiting the U.S. and Australia is a stark reminder of how fortunate and desired our home has become. We should not take it for granted.
— This liberty news story was shared as a reminder of the upcoming American 250th Birthday and how fragile our liberties are. You can honor our 250th by going to Oregon250.com and sharing the Oregon 250 Resolution.
