By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEHRAN, Iran – On December 7 thousands of Iranian’s took to the streets and rallied against the government at universities throughout the country. The protests took place on Iran’s Student Day and were an effort coordinated by a number of opposition websites. The protests, which were focused on the controversial June presidential election, set off altercations between students and police around campuses. Protesters hurled rocks and set fires. Police officers and plain clothes Basij militia members were with tear gas, chains, truncheons and stun guns.
The Iranian government attempted to stop any chance of protests erupting on Student Day. The night before the protests government opponents shouted “Death to the Dictator” and “God is great” from their rooftops. Government officials attempted to kill off internet access on the eve of the protests. Additionally, authorities warned journalists working for foreign media to stay in their offices for three days. On the day of the protests Iranian authorities shut down the mobile phone network in the center of Tehran to stop opposition protesters from contacting each other.
Opposition leader, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s opponent in the disputed June presidential election, Mir-Hussein Moussavi announced his support for student demonstrations. He additionally stated on his website that the religious establishment couldn’t silence students and that they were losing legitimacy in the Iranian people’s minds. Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has also thrown his support behind the opposition, accusing Iran’s hard-line rulers of silencing constructive criticism.
Clashes erupted during the Student Day protests as thousands of individuals filled the street. According to witnesses riot police fired tear gas and Basij militiamen charged the crowd as protesters chanted. The Basij beat protesters on the head and shoulders as the crowd scattered. The protesters also chanted against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei has accused the opposition of creating opportunities for Iran’s enemies.
The protests mark the first major showing showing by the opposition in more than a month. The BBC’s Jon Leyne claims that the main objective of the opposition is to keep their movement alive. Reports are that dozens of individuals have been arrested. The protests continued throughout the day. By nightfall a number of student groups held candlelight vigils for those arrested during the day.
For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Iran Police ‘Clash With Protesters’ – 7 December 2009
BBC – Iran Opposition Protesters Clash With Security Forces – 7 December 2009
Guardian – Iranian Police Use Tear Gas and Batons in Clash With Protesters – 7 December 2009
New York Times – Iranian Student Protesters Clash With Police – 7 December 2009
AP – Iran Chokes Off Internet on Eve of Student Rallies – 6 December 2009
