HomeIran News NowIran Protests & DemonstrationsIran Protests: Teachers, Students, and Workers Rally Across Cities Demanding Justice
Iran Protests & Demonstrations

Iran Protests: Teachers, Students, and Workers Rally Across Cities Demanding Justice

Written by Sedighe Shahrokhi

In recent days, protests and rallies have erupted across Iran as citizens from diverse social strata express grievances over economic hardship, systemic injustice, and governmental mismanagement. The demonstrations reflect deep-rooted dissatisfaction fueled by inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs. Teachers, retirees, students, and underprivileged citizens have taken to the streets, demanding their rights amid escalating repression.

The protests, which span multiple cities and provinces, underscore the intensifying pressure on the regime as various social groups voice their outrage against corruption, inequality, and deteriorating living standards.

December 7

In Tehran, the nation’s capital, medical students from Azad University staged demonstrations against a 200–300% increase in tuition fees. The protests coincided with a visit by the Judiciary Chief to the university. Students from medical, dental, and pharmacy disciplines carried banners with messages such as “No to tuition hikes” and “Education is our right.” They accused the university of violating promises to keep tuition affordable, with fees skyrocketing from 30 to 90 million tomans.

Another protest by retired teachers, including those from the 2021 cohort, was held outside the regime’s parliament. Hundreds gathered to demand overdue payments and wage adjustments, chanting, “Just a ten-thousand toman increase? That’s the outcome of our ranking system?” and targeting Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf with slogans like “Ghalibaf, have some shame, give us our rights!” Other slogans included “Justice, justice, strike down injustice” and “Enough of this injustice.”

December 6

Members of the PMOI-led Resistance Units across the country marked Iran’s Student Day with symbolic anti-regime activities. The group displayed images of Iranian Resistance leader Massoud Rajavi and NCRI president-elect Maryam Rajavi. Messages such as “The university is the bastion of freedom” and “Students are awake and despise the Shah and the mullahs’ regime” were seen across multiple locations nationwide.

In Najaf Abad, Isfahan Province (central Iran), retired teachers rallied in front of a parliamentary office, protesting insufficient pensions and poor living conditions. Demonstrators highlighted the mismatch between their earnings and rising inflation.

In Abadan, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), retired oil workers continued their protests, voicing grievances over inadequate pensions and economic disparities. Chanting slogans like “This nation has never seen such injustice,” they called for urgent attention to their plight.

In Dezful, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), residents who lost savings in state-affiliated financial institutions held rallies, demanding justice. Protesters declared, “We won’t rest until we reclaim our rights,” underscoring their frustration with government inaction.

In Shadgan, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), literacy campaign educators protested the lack of formal employment opportunities, with slogans such as “Employment is our absolute right” and “No amendments, employment is our right.” Their rally highlighted systemic issues faced by educators in rural areas.

December 4

In Abadan, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), retired oil workers protested low pensions and inequality in benefits, chanting, “This nation has never seen such injustice” and “Rise, retirees, against oppression and discrimination.”

In Shadgan, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), literacy campaign teachers rallied for employment rights, chanting, “Employment is our right” and “No to amendments, employment is our absolute right.”

In Dezful, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), citizens who lost their savings in state-linked financial institutions staged protests, declaring, “We won’t rest until we reclaim our rights.”

December 3

In Ezhieh, Isfahan Province (central Iran), female students from Al-Zahra Girls’ School protested the lack of heating in classrooms. Wrapped in blankets, they gathered in the schoolyard and criticized the government’s failure to address two years of unresolved heating issues.

In Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province (western Iran), retirees protested the lack of pension parity and adjustments, chanting, “We don’t trust deceitful officials” and “The treasury and wealth belong to thieves.”

December 2

In Talesh, Gilan Province (northern Iran), security forces demolished homes and market stalls of impoverished residents, leading to widespread anger. Activists likened the incident to earlier demolitions in Chabahar, calling out the government for targeting marginalized communities.

In Qom, Qom Province (central Iran), nurses protested worsening work conditions, demanding immediate reforms. Chants such as “Solve our problems today, not tomorrow” reflected their mounting frustrations.

The recent protests highlight the increasing discontent among Iran’s citizens as economic pressures mount. Demonstrators from various groups have voiced their frustrations against perceived corruption, neglect, and systemic injustice. These rallies mark a critical juncture, revealing the fragility of the regime’s economic and social policies amid growing public dissent.

Previous article
Iran News in Brief – December 7, 2024
Next article
Iranian Regime Fears Collapse of Syria and Regional Setbacks

RELATED ARTICLES