NCRI

Iran Protests: Nationwide Surge on October 28, 2024, Amid Crackdowns and Economic Hardship

Mansoureh Galestan

Iran saw a surge of widespread protests today, driven by escalating economic grievances and a harsh government response. Retirees, municipal workers, students, and marginalized groups mobilized across multiple cities to demand better living conditions, higher pensions, and a voice in the face of systemic neglect and repression.

Across cities, retirees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran staged rallies demanding the government uphold its commitments to fair pensions and basic services. Demonstrations erupted in Ahvaz and Ilam as retirees voiced frustration over ignored demands. Protesters carried banners declaring, “Our rights only exist on the streets!” signaling disillusionment with formal channels for recourse.

In Isfahan, Sanandaj Zanjan and Tehran, the retirees decried their eroded purchasing power, chanting slogans like “We demand justice, not empty promises!” and “We only heard lies, no justice!” In Bijar and Tabriz, pensioners rallied with slogans against the government’s neglect of pension adjustments despite skyrocketing inflation and the economic strain facing millions.

In Ilam, municipal workers joined the protests, rallying over months of unpaid wages. These workers, integral to maintaining public services, highlighted the government’s failure to pay salaries amid Iran’s ongoing financial crises. Frustration among Iran’s working-class population has been exacerbated as inflation skyrockets while wages stagnate.

In the Madani district of Tabriz, local residents gathered to demand better access to essential services, including clean drinking water and gas. The rally underscored a growing frustration over deteriorating infrastructure, which many view as evidence of the government’s mismanagement and lack of investment in public welfare.

Today’s protests also saw students joining the wave of unrest. At Tehran University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, students rallied against increased commercialization of campus spaces, intensified gender segregation, and efforts to depoliticize student activism. Demonstrators chanted “No to a militarized university” as they gathered, criticizing university policies that they argue stifle free expression and political engagement.

Protesters held signs supporting labor rights and decried the administration’s focus on celebrity-centered events intended to divert attention from pressing student issues, such as mental health support and campus freedom. Students condemned what they described as “a façade of engagement,” designed to replace authentic student activism with controlled and superficial displays. Despite interference from campus security, students read a statement affirming their right to a politically active and inclusive academic environment.

Meanwhile, on October 27, security forces in Sarbisheh, South Khorasan Province, fatally shot two Baluchi residents after pursuing their vehicle. The incident reflects ongoing hostilities toward Iran’s marginalized communities, particularly Baluchis, who have long faced disproportionate violence. Similarly, in Gorgan, street vendors were reportedly beaten by security personnel, intensifying anger over crackdowns on those struggling to make a living.

Authorities also deployed security forces near Persepolis and Pasargadae ahead of Cyrus the Great Day on October 29, installing blockades to restrict access. This annual closure, intended to prevent gatherings at these historic sites, has become a recurring restriction and a significant point of public frustration. While limited access was granted to international tourists, Iranians were barred from entry, further heightening tensions and resentment toward the government’s restrictive policies.

The protests are occurring against a backdrop of severe economic instability, with official figures claiming inflation surpassing 40%, the currency in free fall, and basic living costs continuing to rise.

The high inflation rate, combined with shrinking job opportunities, has deepened public discontent and spurred further unrest across the country. The persistence of protests underscores growing frustration with a government perceived as more invested in foreign policy and internal repression than in the welfare of its people.

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