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Iranian Refugee's Viral Protest Sparks Global Resistance Movement

1/17/2026

38 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A video of a young Iranian refugee in Canada lighting a cigarette with a burning image of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, sparked global attention amid ongoing protests.
The act serves as a symbol of resistance that echoes the Women, Life, Freedom protests.
After it went viral, women in France and Israel replicated the act and turned it into a global trend, galvanizing support despite Iran's brutal crackdown.

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Story summary

A video of a young Iranian refugee in Canada lighting a cigarette with a burning image of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, sparked global attention amid ongoing protests.
The act serves as a symbol of resistance that echoes the Women, Life, Freedom protests.
After it went viral, women in France and Israel replicated the act and turned it into a global trend, galvanizing support despite Iran's brutal crackdown.