Ever since the Isfahan lower court ordered Toomaj’s death sentence on April 24 (contradicting an earlier Supreme Court ruling), hundreds of thousands of people—ranging from youth and musicians and street organizations in Iran to common people and major celebrities around the world— have posted, protested and mobilized, spray painted and written and sung, to make clear to the Islamic Republic of Iran that Toomaj Salehi’s life is a “red line.”
Recognizing this as the key factor, @ToomajOfficial (Toomaj’s X account run by an appointed admin) wrote immediately on X:
People’s unified efforts and support and the pressure of the international community and public opinion were fruitful. From the unhesitating support of all the fans inside Iran ... human rights activists and organizations, and the media who, during this period, became the voice of the son of Iran, who was the voice of an oppressed nation. We are very grateful. The hope is that we will continue this unity, which is the character, purpose and advice of #toomajsalehi until the complete freedom of Toomaj and the freedom and liberation of all those who are unjustly imprisoned or sentenced to death by extra-legal institutions, and until the final victory, firmly and steadfastly. #FreeToomaj
Burn The Cage detailed this as part of its announcement on IG (excerpted and translated by IEC volunteers):
Earlier, the Amnesty International organization… demanded the cancellation of the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi, the dissident rapper. Artists, musicians, writers and prominent cultural figures also wrote about solidarity with Toomaj Salehi: “Art must be allowed to criticize, provoke, question and challenge authority. This is both our right and duty as artists… No artist should face judicial harassment for exercising their right to freedom of expression, let alone being sentenced to death.” Also, the International Emergency Campaign to Free Iran’s Political Prisoners played an important role by organizing numerous programs and actions to support Toomaj and condemning his death sentence in various US cities to make his voice heard and other political prisoners heard... PEN America Society and artists, writers and various personalities around the world have condemned Toomaj Salehi’s [sentence]. Hoping for the immediate release of Toomaj and all Iranian political prisoners.
Just a couple of days before the verdict, Toomaj sent this poetic message from Isfahan Prison via his social media admins to commemorate June 20, the International Day in Support of Political Prisoners in Iran: