photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

The University of Kansas campus is pictured in February 2023.

University of Kansas students and staff with connections to Iran will host a public presentation and question-and-answer session about the large political demonstrations and unrest gripping the Middle Eastern country.

The panel discussion “Global Conversations: Public Demonstrations in Iran” will take place at noon on April 4 in the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center on KU’s Lawrence campus.

Rana Esfandiary, assistant professor of design and technology in the KU Department of Theatre & Dance, will lead a panel discussion that also will include students from Iran and members of the KU Iranian Community Association.

International news media have reported that more than 500 people have been killed in anti-government protests and nearly 20,000 people have been arrested since mid-September after the death of a young woman who was in police custody after being accused of violating Iran’s strict hijab laws.

The April 4 presentation is part of KU’s Global Conversation series, which is being hosted by International Affairs, the Office of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging and The Commons.