As leaders in music, your institutions exist not only to celebrate it, but—by your own charters and public missions—to safeguard the rights, welfare, and freedom of those who create it. That responsibility transcends national borders.
In recent months in Iran, over 25 musicians have been killed and about 40 arrested amid a nationwide uprising that claimed tens of thousands of lives. Official figures—drawn from government sources—likely represent only part of the truth, as most of these deaths occurred within just two days. To my knowledge, this marks the largest loss of musicians’ lives in a single event since World War II.
At moments like this, the values that unite musicians everywhere—artistic freedom, human dignity, and solidarity among creators—matter most. Acknowledging these artists and their loss would be a powerful affirmation of those shared principles. I respectfully ask that you speak publicly in defense of these musicians and their rights.
Music has always been a refuge of truth, deserving of voices willing to stand with it when it is silenced.
With respect,
Arash Sobhani
Musician, ASCAP member
New York