On December 7, 1953, the Shah regime murdered three student activists in Tehran University to stifle the voice of protests for freedom. The students were killed during protests that emerged a few months after the Shah—aided by his foreign supporters—carried out a coup against the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mossadegh.
Seven decades after the murder of students in Tehran University, the people of Iran continued to honor their memory and December 7 has become Iran’s Student Day, in which the people commemorate the role of Iran’s young generation in shaping the country’s future and freedom.
Karaj
Images of Iranian Resistance leader Massoud Rajavi and NCRI president-elect Maryam Rajavi with messages:
"The university is the bastion of freedom"
"Students are awake and despise the Shah and the mullahs' regime" pic.twitter.com/KOkN5SidWQ— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 6, 2024
On the anniversary of Student Day, Resistance Units, the network of PMOI supporters inside Iran, held activities across the country. They reiterated their commitment to continue the path of the students who have laid down their lives for freedom and the martyrs of Iran’s uprisings for overthrowing the mullahs’ rule.
The Resistance Units organized widespread activities across the country to honor the martyrs of this day and celebrate those who sacrificed their lives for Iran’s freedom.
In Tehran, large posters of Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), were displayed, accompanied with the message: “Dear students, protests are a cry that must grow stronger every day.” The events also included posters showing the images of the three students martyred in 1953, honoring their legacy.
Another poignant gesture was the display of posters of PMOI martyr Nastaran Azimi, who was a student at the University of Tehran. Nasrin was killed in Camp Ashraf by agents of the Iranian regime.
Tehran
"Hail to students who have embraced their vanguard role" pic.twitter.com/PygCbBNU1r— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 6, 2024
In Mashhad and Ahvaz, the Resistance Units displayed images of the Student Day martyrs from 1953, openly honoring their sacrifices. In Karaj, pictures of Iranian Resistance leader Masoud Rajavi were hung with the message: “The university is a bastion of freedom,” reflecting the combative spirit embraced by the universities.
In Astara, the Resistance Units raised slogans like “Freedom and victory for students will be achieved through your efforts,” accompanied by images of opposition leaders. In other areas of Tehran, the Resistance Units called for transforming universities into “centers of rebellion.”
In many cities, the chant “The student is vigilant, hates both the Shah’s regime and the mullahs’ regime” reflected the unified stance of students against all forms of tyranny.
Tehran
Photo of student activist and PMOI martyr Nastaran Azimi pic.twitter.com/O1suWW2vkD— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 6, 2024
The martyrdom of three brave students during the December 1953 protests has become an enduring symbol of the spirit of resistance and freedom that continues to inspire student movements in Iran.
In recent years, the regime has attempted to co-opt Student Day by organizing appearances of regime officials at universities to further their corrupt agenda. However, students have not tolerated this disgrace. On numerous occasions, they have disrupted these staged events, humiliating the officials and forcing them to leave the campus under the echo of resounding protest slogans.
This year’s activities by the Resistance Units reaffirmed the importance of this day, embodying their commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy, and confirming the role of universities as centers of struggle against tyranny.