Iranians protest, regime cracks down

Lucas2022-09-28

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi could well state on September 24 that the internet disruptions were aimed at » to prevent « the organization of “social media riots”, it is for its expenses. Not only have the protest rallies not stopped, but they are getting stronger day by day. The protests erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini – a 22-year-old woman arrested three days earlier by morality police – and continue to spread across Iran.

Despite rising death tolls and fierce repression by authorities, videos posted to Twitter showed protesters calling for the fall of the religious establishment, while clashing with security forces in Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj, Yazd and in many other Iranian cities. State television said police ran into what they called « rioters » in some places and fired tear gas to disperse them. Videos posted to social media from inside Iran showed protesters chanting “Woman, life, freedom! », while women waved and burned their veils. In 93 cities, in 30 provinces of the country which have 31.

Riot police fired on protesters

The Islamic regime is challenged. Twitter posts showed protesters in Tabriz chanting « Death to the dictator! » », a reference to Iran’s highest authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the Kurdish towns of Sanandaj and Sardasht, riot police fired on protesters. « I will kill those who killed my sister! » » chanted the crowd in one of the Tehran videos. Social media posts, as well as some activists have called for a nationwide strike. Several university professors have resigned in protest at the death of Mahsa Amini, according to statements they released. Students from several universities have refused to take part in classes to protest against the widespread arrest of their comrades and the tough encounters with the security forces inside their establishments.

Die Studentinnen an der Uni Tehran:
زن، زندگی، آزادی
Frauen–Leben–Freiheit
(aus dem kurdischen Jin Jiyan Azadi)#MahsaAmini #JinaAmini #jin pic.twitter.com/lR4ST4k8yH
— Kaveh Ghoreishi (@KavehGhoreishi) September 18, 2022

Tehran University students demonstrate with the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’

Officially, 41 people were killed (protesters, but also police and members of the bassidjis, a pro-government militia). But Iranian human rights groups speak of a higher toll.