SF vigil held for Mahsa Amini who died after arrest by Iran's 'morality police' for 'improper hijab'

SAN FRANCISCO -- Community members held a candlelit vigil outside San Francisco city hall this Sunday, protesting the death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Zhina Amini.

She was arrested by Iran's 'morality police' last week in Tehran accused of wearing loose and "improper hijab."

She was taken into a re-education facility before needing treatment at a hospital.

Iranian officials say Amini died after suffering from a "heart attack."

Adding her death was an "unfortunate incident" denying responsibility for her physical harm while in custody.

Since her death Protests have been ongoing throughout the country.

Women in Iran have taken to the streets without their hijab.

Some have started cutting their hair, others burning their vale in opposition to mandatory hijab laws.

According to two Kurdish human rights groups monitoring violations in Iran - Kurdistan Human Rights Network and Hengaw, a Norwegian-registered organization - so far 7 people have been fatally shot during demonstrations.

Iranian authorities did not confirm the deaths.

Videos shared on social media show crowds of protesters chanting, "Women, life, freedom." burning their headscarves, as well as destroying posters of the country's Supreme Leader and shouting, "Death to the dictator."

Tehran's governor has accused protesters of attacking the police claiming they are "fully organized and trained to create disturbances in Tehran."

Meanwhile, the UN's Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights has issued a statement expressing alarm at "the violent response by (Iranian) security forces" toward demonstrators.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live