January 22nd, 2026 — Today, Kaveh Akbar (CRF 2023) released a 48-page bilingual zine profiling fourteen lives killed in recent protests against the authoritarian government in Iran. A PDF is available for download at givemetothewind.com. Physical copies will be mailed out this week to all who ordered. Ten signed copies will be available for free at thirty bookstores across the US. Readers are encouraged to donate to Amnesty International.
Kaveh wrote in an Instagram post yesterday,
“The purpose of the project was to be able to feel—w real somatic heat—the scale of the loss, the taking, happening in Iran right now. I managed fourteen tiny profiles, of the thousands and thousands murdered. Thousands of Renee Goods, thousands of me’s, thousands of yous and your moms and your crushes and your kids.
Civitella believes that freedom of artistic expression starts with freedom in all forms and stands in solidarity with artists living under authoritarian rule around the world. Together, we are committed to making space for creating, innovating, and imagining better worlds.
Thank you, Kaveh, for shining a light on the Iranians that have taken to the streets over the past 17 years in protest and the lives claimed in these most recent, historic demonstrations.
