Three-minute read
The enduring spirit of resistance in Iran is embodied in the lives and actions of its brave students, who continue to defy the clerical regime despite relentless oppression. Their steadfastness is rooted in a deep culture of resistance that has shaped Iran’s struggle for freedom over decades, inspired by tens of thousands of martyrs who have paved the way for a new generation. This defiant generation, growing up with stories of unshakable uprisings, now stands at the forefront of Iran’s fight for democracy and justice.
In a powerful letter written by two imprisoned elite students, Ali Younesi and Amir-Hossein Moradi, the flame of this resistance burns brightly. Sent to mark the anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests and the start of the academic year, their message is a stark reminder of the regime’s brutality and the unyielding spirit of Iranian youth.
They expose the hypocrisy of officials like Masoud Pezeshkian, who falsely claim that students have the right to protest. “Pezeshkian deceitfully claimed that students have the right to protest! But he didn’t say what happens to students after they protest!” they write, highlighting the harsh realities of repression.
Iran: Mullahs' Judiciary Admits Arrest of Amir Hossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, Sharif University of Technology Elite Studentshttps://t.co/dUtccjIrnI pic.twitter.com/25UmMy7TCX
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 18, 2020
Their defiance resonates with a broader culture of resistance in Iran, where each uprising is a continuation of a long battle for freedom. Younesi and Moradi’s message underscores the determination of the youth: “Yes, we have this right, whether hypocrites admit it or not. And we will, alongside the people, seize the most fundamental right—people’s sovereignty and democracy—at any cost.”
The letter from Younesi and Moradi is not just a cry for justice but also a call to arms for the next wave of students and activists. “Our generation is the generation of uprising,” they proclaim. They honor the memory of those who fought and died during the 2022 uprising, refusing to back down even in the face of arrest, torture, and death. The youth who fought in the streets during the protests are now entering universities, and those still in school carry the weight of the lessons learned from that pivotal year. This reality has become the regime’s nightmare as the academic year begins—a signal that schools and universities will continue to be battlegrounds for freedom.
Younesi and Moradi stress that the regime’s oppressive tactics have only fueled the fire of resistance. “The powder keg of anger and hatred, accumulated through executions, massacres, and oppression, only needs a spark to ignite,” they write. This spark, they suggest, could come from within schools or universities, triggering another nationwide uprising that will not stop until the regime is overthrown.
#Iran: Torture of Political Prisoners for Forced Television Confessions
UN urged to visit prisons and meet with Moradi, Younesi, and Afkari brothers,Urgent action needed for the release of political prisoners, detained protesters#HumanRightshttps://t.co/YliT16b6lA
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 7, 2020
“From the university and school to the streets, there is a blood pact until the end of the road and the dawn of freedom,” they declare. Their message echoes the broader resistance movement in Iran, where generations have fought against tyranny, often paying the ultimate price for their defiance.
The legacy of martyrs continues to inspire today’s youth, who are not only protesting against the current regime but also envisioning a future based on the ideals of democracy, human rights, and social justice. The students’ message, much like the resistance movement itself, is rooted in the belief that change is not only possible but inevitable. They call upon their peers to take up the mantle of responsibility and continue the fight for freedom. “To all those who believe it is necessary to stay and reclaim [our rights], to all those who have turned the streets into universities of resistance… we say, we stand alongside you!” they write with conviction.
As the students continue their struggle behind bars, they remain connected to their fellow Iranians, both inside the prisons and out on the streets. The regime may imprison their bodies, but their spirits remain unbroken. Their defiance represents the unshakable will of a generation that refuses to surrender, inspired by the sacrifices of those who came before them.
In conclusion, the story of Ali Younesi and Amir Hossein Moradi is not just a tale of two brave students; it is the story of a nation that has long yearned for freedom. Their courage and resilience serve as a beacon of hope for millions, lighting the path toward a free and democratic Iran. As Younesi and Moradi remind us, the fight for freedom is far from over, but with every act of resistance, the dawn of liberation draws closer.
