Protests, strikes, and anti-government demonstrations continue across Iran as the social crisis continues. During October, it is believed that there were more than two hundred protests in 59 cities across 24 provinces.
Teachers across the country were protesting outstanding wages and voicing their opposition to the changes in their job status. World Teachers’ Day on October 5th drew teachers and retired educators to the streets too, with many gathering outside the Ministry of Education to protest deplorable working conditions.
Prisoners in Iran have also been making themselves heard by carrying out hunger strikes. The Iranian Resistance indicates that there were at least six political prisoners in six different prisons partaking in a hunger strike. The reasons for these vary from terrible prison conditions to the denial of essential medical care.
Workers across the country also took part in more than 103 protests during October. Workers in the western city of Arak were numerous to take to the streets and a large group of AzarAb Industries employees protested against privatization practices that have ruined the business. These workers were also calling for the payment of several months of overdue wages.
Security forces attacked the AzarAb employees that were protesting peacefully. Scores of people were arrested and many were injured. Images of the protesters covered in blood have been circulating on social media.
Strikes took place at the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory in southwestern Iran. They were also calling for an end to privatization practices and demanded that their colleagues that were made redundant are reinstated.
In the nation’s capital, shop owners and bazaar merchants protested. Many are shareholders in the country’s base stock market and they were voicing their opposition to new directives that have given them great losses. Mobile phone distributors from Tehran also joined in the protests to complain about the regime’s monopolization of the market.
One of the most significant events of October was the protesting in Lordegan. Hundreds of locals took to the streets to express their anger when reports indicated that around 500 villagers, including several children, were infected with HIV because of the health clinic’s negligence. The villagers were being tested for diabetes and ended up with a life-changing disease.
Riot police and suppressive forces were sent to the area and clashes ensued almost immediately. The protesters were angry at the response and set fire to several buildings. Many residents of Lordegan were arrested during the protests that lasted several days. People in Isfahan city also protested in support of the Lordegan people.
And, as always, the students and young people of Iran showed their Resistance. Students gathered in protest against the heavy tuition fees that they are faced with, resulting in more and more people dropping out of the education system. Other students gathered to protest against inequalities and gender segregation.
Students at Tehran University called on the regime to stop prosecuting activists and protested against the regime’s practice of banning student activists from continuing in the education system.
Source » irannewsupdate