Powerful photo of woman leading Sudan protests shared as an incredible act of defiance

A picture of a woman standing on a car, in a white dress, passionately leading anti-government protests in Sudan is going down in the history books as a powerful image of defiance.

The 22-year-old Engineering student. identified as Alaa Salah had taken to the streets of Khartoum along with thousands of others to demand that president Omar al-Bashir step down.

Standing on top of a white car, hands in the air as she led anti-government chants, Salah was captured by local photographer Lana H. Haroun.

The image swiftly went viral as people called the photograph one for the 'history books'

There are videos showing Salah leading the protest chant

In a video about the photo on twitter, Haroun said:

It’s complicated. I’m proud to be from the people who make Sudan history by capture this photo and share it [sic].

But we have a situation here. Until we achieve our goals I wouldn’t be happy.

I want to ask everybody in the world to pray for Sudan.

I want everybody in the world to share photos of the protests.

Tell our history for everyone in the world.

And so, people have been doing just that...

The crowd can be heard shouting “thawra!” which is Arabic for “revolution.”

The photo has inspired art

Some people are comparing Salah to the Statue of Liberty.

Some people are pointing out the historic importance of Salah's clothing

At least five protesters have been killed by security forces in Sudan as calls for the president’s resignation become intense, activists have said.

Demonstrations began in December after food prices soared, and escalated due to food shortages as well.

Security forces have responded with a fierce crackdown, killing at least 60 people according to Physicians for Human Rights, a New York-based rights group – and with the latest deaths that number has hiked to 65.

The government has claimed 32 people have been killed, but hasn’t updated its tally in weeks.

Security forces have used tear gas, stun grenades and live ammunition to disperse protests, witnesses have said.

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