Local Iranian community members gathered at a vigil Sunday afternoon at Seattle City Hall to share art, music, dance and healing conversation.

The stated purpose of the event was to memorialize those who lost their lives during the Islamic Republic’s deadly crackdown on protesters in January, which had a death toll estimated in the tens of thousands.

With the U.S. and Israel striking Iran over the weekend, the event also provided a place to process the beginning of war.

The event was organized by the Seattle Isfahan Sister City Advocacy group.

ALSO: analysis of the widening conflict in the Middle East with Reşat Kasaba, professor at the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies.

RELATED LINKS:

Iran Hits Back Across the Mideast, Targeting U.S. Bases and Allies
Hegseth insists the Iran conflict is 'not Iraq' and is 'not endless'
What to Know About the Widening Fallout From the Bombing of Iran
Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle area Iranians process the start of war at vigil for massacred protesters