U.S. Chess Star’s Petition Against Holding Women’s Tournament in Iran Exceeds 15k Signatures

US champion Nazi Paikidze

by TheTower.org Staff
   
   Iran is forcing women to cover their hair at the next world chess championship—and the reigning American female chess champion is circulating a petition in protest. Nazí Paikidze-Barnes, 22, exceeded her initial goal of collecting 15,000 signatures on Tuesday, one week after her appeal was first posted online.
   The petition calls on the World Chess Federation (FIDE)—which “rejects discriminatory treatment for national, political, racial, social or religious reasons or on account of sex” in its handbook—to reconsider its choice of Iran as tournament host. Paikidze-Barnes, who authored the document, declared she will be boycotting the contest “even if it means missing one of the most important competitions of my career.”
   “Some consider a hijab part of culture,” Paikidze-Barnes said in an Instagram post announcing her decision. “But, I know that a lot of Iranian women are bravely protesting this forced law daily and risking a lot by doing so. That’s why I will NOT wear a hijab and support women’s oppression.”...http://www.thetower.org/4028oc-u-s-chess-stars-petition-against-holding-womens-tournament-in-iran-exceeds-15k-signatures/
 
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