Voice of Iran (VOI) Washington is a 501(c)3, based in Washington State, founded by Arezou Bagan. Dedicated to advocating for the rights and freedoms of the Iranian people, VOI Washington operates on principles of non-partisanship, community engagement, and legislative advocacy.

Key Information

Founding: Established by Arezou Bagan, VOI Washington is a grassroots organization rooted in the diverse communities of Washington State.

Mission: VOI Washington is committed to amplifying the voices of the Iranian people, advocating for a secular democracy, and championing Freedom for Iran.

Vision: VOI Washington envisions a world free from violence, terrorism, and dictatorship, where Iranian Americans unite to support freedom and democracy in Iran.

Main Goals: The organization’s goals include amplifying news and media related to Iran’s Lion and Sun revolution in Washington State, advocating against gender apartheid, organizing rallies and protests, drafting petitions for support, countering disinformation, and fostering collaboration with allied organizations.

Accomplishments

Legislative Advocacy: VOI Washington has played an active role in advocating for legislation and policy supporting the Iranian people, including championing the MAHSA Act, addressing the humanitarian and human-rights crisis in Iran, collaborating on the TOOMAJ Act, and participating in Congressional briefings with The JINA Alliance and other organizations.

Government & Civic Engagement: VOI Washington has worked directly with elected officials and policymakers to educate them about conditions inside Iran, advocate for political prisoners and victims of human-rights abuses, and encourage meaningful U.S. action. The organization also helps community members understand how to contact legislators and participate effectively in the American democratic process.

Amplifying Voices Inside Iran: At the heart of VOI Washington’s mission is ensuring that the voices of Iranians risking their lives for freedom are heard in the United States. VOI Washington brings their stories, demands, and sacrifices to policymakers, the media, and the broader American public.

Human Rights Advocacy & Rapid Response: In response to killings, executions, arrests, political imprisonment, and violent crackdowns in Iran, VOI Washington has organized emergency rallies, memorials, awareness campaigns, and calls to action to draw attention to victims of state violence and those persecuted for demanding freedom.

Community Engagement: VOI Washington has organized rallies, memorials, civic advocacy training, educational programs, public-awareness campaigns, and large-scale community actions throughout Washington, mobilizing Iranian Americans and allies in support of human rights, freedom, secular democracy, and accountability in Iran.

Coalition Building: VOI Washington has collaborated with Iranian-American organizations, human-rights advocates, activists, community leaders, and organizations throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest to coordinate advocacy efforts, strengthen community participation, and amplify the voices of the Iranian people.

Regional & International Mobilization: VOI Washington has participated in and helped organize coordinated demonstrations and international days of action, connecting Washington’s Iranian-American community with broader national and global movements supporting freedom and human rights in Iran.

Public Awareness & Media Outreach: Through demonstrations, educational campaigns, social media, interviews, memorial events, public outreach, and engagement with local media, VOI Washington works to keep Iran’s human-rights crisis visible to the American public and ensure that the stories of those affected are not forgotten.

Honoring Victims & Political Prisoners: VOI Washington has organized memorials and public-awareness campaigns honoring those killed, imprisoned, or executed for demanding freedom in Iran, helping preserve their names, stories, and sacrifices while advocating for those who remain at risk.

Civic Education: VOI Washington provides community members with practical tools and education for effective advocacy, including communicating with legislators, participating in civic action, understanding proposed legislation, and becoming stronger advocates for human rights and democratic change.

Youth Empowerment: VOI Washington is committed to inspiring and guiding young Iranian Americans through its Youth Empowerment Program, encouraging the next generation to become informed, confident participants in human-rights advocacy, civic engagement, and community leadership.

Recognition: Arezou Bagan, founder of VOI Washington, was honored with the “Champion of Democracy” award by Washington Legislative District 48 in recognition of her tireless advocacy for democracy, human rights, and the people of Iran.

Our Team

Board of Directors

Team Leads:

• Staging Manager: Mehrnoush
• Digital Strategy & PR: Negin
• Director of Community Engagement: Taranoum and Shaghayegh
• Percussion Ensemble Director: Navid
• Assistant Rally Engagement Coordinator: Atefe
• Fundraising Lead: Kat Vivareli (on hiatus with a baby) If you are interested in applying for this position, volunteers are welcome to apply here.
• Interim Media, Public Messaging & Advocacy: Azadeh
• Interim Director of Rally Production (Emergency Operations):
• Interim Lead of Field Operation, Security and Logistics (Emergency Operations):
• Youth Program: Volunteers will not include names, due to the sensitivity of our work.
• Communications and PR help: Volunteers are welcome to apply here.

Youth Empowerment Program

Young people who engage in activism and service experience personal growth, expand their networks, often receive mentoring, and can enjoy opportunities to expand their impact by participating in broader political and community leadership.

Voice of Iran is pleased to offer a mentorship program that inspires young Iranian Americans to find their passion towards activism and advocacy for human rights as well as for Iranian people whose basic human rights are being assaulted by the Islamic Republic regime. Through this program, students and young professionals aged 17-32 can give valuable insights and guidance as they pursue their educational and professional goals. 

The mentorship relationship is based on mutual respect, open communication, and a shared understanding and can have a positive impact on all aspects of life. We invite those interested in participating to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to grow and develop with support of experienced mentors. If you are interested, here is the registration form: 

During the program, youth are introduced and mentored in different aspects of activism throughout our departments Marketing, social media, website, staging, legislative, communication and fundraising, and through experiencing volunteering in different fields they also learn where their passion and talent is.  

Activism can benefit teenagers, and not just on their college or job applications. Speaking their minds can contribute to teens’ mental well-being and even lay the groundwork for success as an adult. Being engaged at any level is good, it energizes kids and clarifies what’s meaningful to them. 

A study published in the journal Child Development points out that engaging in civic activities—specifically voting, volunteering, and activism—can have positive effects on teenagers’ mental and physical health. Being involved in the community can help reduce depression and lower the chances of unhealthy behavior, such as substance abuse, researchers found.

Below: See photos of recent Voice of Iran events in which we worked with local youth.

These are photos from rallies, and performances with Voice of Iran, over the last several months.