Maryam Rajavi hails transit workers, calls on Tehran’s youth to rise in support
NCRI – Thousands of workers at Tehran’s United Bus Company went on general strike to protest the clerical regime’s suppressive measures and to demand their rights. The regime’s security forces cracked down harshly on the workers to prevent the protest action the night before. Security forces reportedly began arresting a large number of transit workers in the early hours of Saturday.
Some 1,000 to 1,500 intelligence and security agents were dispatched to each Tehran district where protests were expected from early morning to prevent any protest. Despite the clampdown, transit workers from United Bus Company proceeded with their strike and protest action. Security forces were seen charging at groups of strikers and beating many of them. Reports from Tehran until noon today indicated that almost 1,200 striking workers were arrested and many injured. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Eleven activist transit workers were arrested and taken to Evin Prison. In an inhuman move, the regime also arrested and imprisoned wives and children of the arrested workers.
A group of Iranian students also joined the transit strikers and participated in anti-regime demonstrations.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, hailed the heroic uprising by Tehran’s Union Bus Company workers. She urged the people of Tehran and in particular the youth and students to support the strikers and the families of those who had been arrested. Mrs. Rajavi called on workers’ unions, and human rights and labor rights advocates throughout the world to condemn the savage crackdown on Iranian workers and laborers, and to assist in the release of those arrested today in Tehran.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
January 28, 2006