January 20 marks the anniversary of the last group of political prisoners from the Shah prison in 1979. On that day, 126 political prisoners, including Massoud Rajavi and other leading members of the MEK, were released from prison.
The event marked a turning point in the history of Iran. Following the release of the political prisoners, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and other groups that sought freedom assumed an active role in the protests that shaped the 1979 revolution. Less than a month later, the monarchy collapsed.
January 20 has become an important event for the members and supporters of the PMOI and the Iranian Resistance. And like every year, members of the Resistance Units, the network of PMOI supporters and activists inside Iran, marked the event across the country.
In Tehran, Resistance Units installed posters of Massoud Rajavi in different parts of the city, commemorating January 20 and writing slogans such as “The world should know that Massoud Rajavi is our leader.”
In Shiraz, the Resistance Units held placards that celebrated the release of political prisoners and reiterated a quote from the late Ayatollah Mahmoud Taleghani, who said, “The torturers and interrogators were terrified of Massoud Rajavi.”
In Hamedan, the Resistance Units held posters of Massoud Rajavi and reiterated their commitment to the struggle for freedom with the message: “We will continue our struggle until we dismantle religious fascism.”
In Karaj, the Resistance Units reiterated their loyalty to the Iranian people and their resistance movement. They held posters of Massoud Rajavi with the message: “Massoud is the flag-bearer of maximum resistance.”
In Khorram Abad, Resistance Units held placards of Massoud Rajavi with a slogan that is emblematic of the history of the PMOI and the Iranian Resistance: “Rebels never surrender.”
In Amol, Resistance Units installed posters of Massoud Rajavi with a quote from his first speech after his release from prison: “You can’t keep a nation in captivity forever.”
In Kermanshah and Rasht, the Resistance Units defied the regime’s efforts to detract youth from joining the PMOI. They held placards that read, “The world should know that Massoud is our leader.”
The Resistance Units also marked the anniversary of January 20 by projecting images of Massoud Rajavi on the walls of public places in many cities along with messages of resistance and defiance of the regime. These activities took place in Tehran, Shiraz, Karaj, Rasht, Isfahan, Arak, Mashhad, Kermanshah, and other cities.
The Resistance Units have increased their activities as the regime has been trying to suppress any support for the PMOI and the NCRI and create the illusion that there is no alternative to the regime’s brutal rule.
Among these measures is an ongoing court case against more than 100 members of the PMOI and the NCRI. The regime had publicized this court for several months and will start the hearings this week.
Having failed to destroy Iran’s Resistance movement and prevent the new generation to join the PMOI’s cause, they are setting up another court case in hopes of causing fear in the public. At the same time, the regime is engaging in extensive propaganda efforts to demonize the PMOI and cause fear among the Iranian public, especially the youths who are fed up with tyranny and want regime change.
However, not only has the regime’s efforts failed to dismay Iran’s youths from gravitating toward the PMOI but it has steeled their resolve to be part of the movement to overthrow the religious fascism that has taken Iran hostage for its evil deeds.