History
The slogan "Death to Khamenei" was first chanted during the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests,[12] and has since been used repeatedly in subsequent protests.[13][14]
2018 protests
During the 2018 Iranian protests, in addition to "Death to Khamenei," slogans included "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, My Life for Iran," "Reza Shah, rest in peace," "Enough already, show your honor," "Reformists, Principlists, the game is over," and "Our enemy is right here, they lie it's America."[17]
2021–2022 Iranian protests
During the 2021 Iranian water protests in Khuzestan, people in Izeh held rallies supporting water protests, chanting "Death to Khamenei" and "Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is invalid."[23][24]
At the funeral of Hadi Bahmani, a 17-year-old killed in these protests, people chanted "Death to Khamenei."[25]
In solidarity protests in Tehran, people chanted slogans like "Death to the Dictator," "Death to Khamenei," "From Tehran to Khuzestan, unity, unity," and others.[26]
During the twelfth night of protests, despite severe internet disruptions, protesters chanted "Death to Khamenei" from rooftops and windows.[27]
Meta's content removal
Amidst the 2021–2022 Iranian protests, Meta removed Instagram posts featuring "Death to Khamenei," citing "content violating anti-violence policies." Activists argued that the slogan expresses opposition to the regime, comparable to "Damn Trump." Meta temporarily allowed posts containing the slogan and later clarified it does not consider it a call to violence.
In January 2023, Meta's Oversight Board ruled that Facebook and Instagram should not censor "Death to Khamenei" posts, stating it expresses a call for the downfall of the current government and its leader, rather than violence against Khamenei himself.[28]
.jpg)
