A powerful act of defiance by an Iranian refugee living in Ontario has resonated across the globe, transforming into a viral symbol of resistance against Iran's leadership.
The Iconic Image That Set the Internet Ablaze
The now-iconic image, a screenshot from a short video, shows a young woman known as Morticia Addams leaning in to light a cigarette from a burning photograph of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The scene, captured against a snowy suburban backdrop in Richmond Hill, Ontario, in January 2026, was an evocative protest against the clerical regime she fled.
The 23-year-old refugee, who uses the pseudonym Morticia Addams for safety, confirmed to the National Post that the video is hers. She stated she was inspired by a similar protest days earlier and filmed the act with her boyfriend. Fear of reprisals from regime supporters in Canada led her to conceal her real identity.
A Personal History of Defiance and Escape
Morticia's protest is rooted in a history of confrontation with Iranian authorities. She participated in the 2019 Bloody November protests, which resulted in a night in a detention centre. Her troubles escalated in 2024 following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi.
"I was taken in for interrogation, actually, and I was subject to severe humiliation and physical abuse," she recounted. After two days, she was unexpectedly released and immediately fled, first to Turkey and then to Canada on a student visa, where she applied for refugee status. "Canada, it's my saviour," she said. "It was my hero and saved me from the Islamic regime."
From Personal Act to Global Phenomenon
Once posted on X (formerly Twitter), where it amassed over 1.4 million views, the image transcended its origins. It rapidly inspired a wave of copycats, including other young women and even American politicians. The act was celebrated online as "the only cigarette that is not harmful to your health."
The visual sparked a creative explosion across social media, generating:
- Stylized artwork and digital tributes.
- AI-generated variations and knockoffs.
- Widespread praise for her bravery, with users hailing "Young Iranian women are leading the revolution."
The image solidified as a potent meme of resistance, demonstrating how a single, courageous act by a refugee in a Canadian suburb can amplify a global message of dissent and solidarity.
