Major Iran protests erupted in November 2019 triggering the greatest existential crisis in the regime’s 40-year history. Protesters took to the streets in at least 191 cities calling for regime change. The regime has resorted to brute repression, killing at least 1500 protesters and arresting thousands more. It also shut down Iran’s internet completely for a week, blocking images of the protests from reaching the outside world.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE IRAN PROTESTS:
- Number of uprising cities: 191
- Number of martyrs: At least 1500
- Number of injured: More than 4,000
- Number of detainees: More than 12,000
What do the protesters want?
The protests began on November 15, 2019, over a three-fold rise in gasoline prices but in less than 24 hours, the chants became entirely political. Iranians are chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to Rouhani” on the streets of Iran. They want regime change.
How big are the Iran protests?
Very. The protests have spread to at least 190 cities in all 31 of Iran’s provinces. Protesters attacked centers of suppression, including government centers, security outposts, and state-affiliated banks, gas stations and seminaries, particularly those affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Hundreds of buildings were torched or sustained serious damages.
How has the regime reacted to the Iran protests?
Khamenei ordered his security forces to violently put down the Iran protests.
This uprising will continue until freedom and democracy are established in #Iran. A free and democratic Iran is not only the urgent desire of the people of Iran but is essential for peace and security in the Middle East and the world. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/H13gMORUUb
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) December 4, 2019