In early January 2026, the Islamic Republic massacred tens of thousands of peaceful protesters on the streets of Iranian cities. The SISCA Vigil & Art Exhibition on March 1 in Seattle City Hall was held in honor and memory of those who lost their lives. Just one day before our event, on February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched their war on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
This event was FREE and open to all.
VIGIL & ART EXHIBITION IN SOLIDARITY
Click the title to view the gallery and press coverage of the event.
Sunday, March 1, 2026
4:00–8:00 pm, Seattle City Hall
Being physically distant from loved ones in Iran while continuing our daily lives here has created a profound emotional strain within our community. Many are carrying deep grief quietly, navigating the expectations of everyday life without sufficient space to pause, reflect, or mourn together. Too often, moments of remembrance are fleeting; the depth of the grief overwhelming, leaving little room for collective acknowledgment, healing, or shared solace.
To offer a space for reflection, remembrance, and support, Seattle–Isfahan Sister City Advocacy (SISCA) will open the doors of Seattle City Hall to all who wish to gather in community. This vigil is intended as a sanctuary—a place to honor the many lives tragically lost, to bear witness together, and to grieve in a spirit of compassion and solidarity, alongside friends and allies.
The evening will also include a Solidarity Art Exhibition, featuring powerful works by Iranian artists whose images have resonated widely across the community, including Kiarash Khalili, Saba Soleymani, Sheida Babagoli, Marjane Saidi, and others. These works serve as visual testimonies—expressions of grief, resilience, and hope—offering another language through which we can remember and stand together.
We invite you to join us at Seattle City Hall on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 pm, for a Vigil in Solidarity. All are welcome to come quietly, to remember, to support one another, and to find strength in shared presence. Together, we will honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice as we hold space for hope and healing.
SISCA is funded in part by a grant from 4Culture Sustained Support
Many thanks to the Abe Keller Peace Education Fund for support of the Art Exhibition.
Seattle art exhibit, vigil honors hundreds killed during recent protests in Iran
Our local artists, Dr. Farshad Alamdari and Arina Nouri, stand proudly beside their featured works.
