Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, June 23, 2020—During the weekend, Iranians inside the country and abroad commemorated vastly the anniversary of June 20, 1981, which marks the 39 years of struggle against the mullahs. In Resistance history, June 20, 1981, is marked as the day of martyrs and political prisoners in Iran who fought for freedom and democracy against the ruling clerical regime.
On Saturday, June 20, 2020, the Iranian opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) held a virtual conference, in which its President-elect Maryam Rajavi delivered a speech at the event and highlighted the four-decade struggle by the Iranian people through their organized resistance movement spearheaded by the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
“Since the outset, we have declared that our struggle is not for taking power, but to realize the Iranian people’s desires for the establishment of freedom, justice and democracy at any cost,” said Maryam Rajavi in her speech.
At the same time, between June 17 and June 22, the MEK’s internal network, known as the Iranian Resistance Units, organized various activities across Iran, calling for the overthrow of the mullahs’ regime and commemorating June 20, the anniversary of the resistance against the regime. The Iranian Resistance Units had a major impact in organizing December 2017 and November 2019 uprisings.
During these days the brave and rebellious youth torched two IRGC Basij Bases in Khorramabad, one in Mashhad, Nishabur and Shahr-e Quds and an institution for censorship in Delijan. Basij, a subsidiary of the terrorist-designated Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), is the Iranian regime’s paramilitary and most hated suppressive force that is used to crack down on protests and demonstrations such as the November nationwide uprising.
Also, the defiant youth of Andimeshk and Behbahan set fire to images of regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Qassem Soleimani, the now-dead top terrorist commander of the IRGC Quds Force.
June 19, 2020 -Rebellious youth torch IRGC Basij bases
June 22, 2020 – Rebellious youth torch banners of IRGC Basij bases
On the same days, the Iranian Resistance Units bravely took to graffiti in public places with the slogans:
“June 20, 1981, marked the beginning of the most glorious resistance against the religious dictatorship.”
“June 20, a milestone of the historic resistance for freedom and national sovereignty against the mullahs’ regime.”
“Commemorating June 20th, the day of martyrs. Your path will go on”
“Tribute to the 1,500 martyrs of the November 2019 uprising.”
“The final word: Your end is near, mullahs”
“We can and we must overthrow the mullahs’ regime.”
“Khamenei and Rouhani must face justice for their crimes against humanity”
“Down with Khamenei, viva Rajavi”
They also commemorated the martyrs of the November 2019 nationwide uprising by posting their images on the walls in public places and putting flowers on their graves.
Background
On June 20, 1981, over half a million PMOI/MEK members and supporters marched in Tehran’s streets toward the Parliament (Majlis) to announce their frustration about the regime’s endless suppression
June 20, 1981, marks the beginning of a new era of Iranian people’s struggle for freedom. Since the rise to power of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the mullahs’ regime, the MEK warned constantly against the new regime’s repression of women, minorities, and all opposition forces. Khomeini’s regime drowned the country in a merciless religious dictatorship. His henchmen murdered 70 members and supporters of the MEK during peaceful rallies, meetings, and protests, during the period between February 12, 1979, to June 20, 1981.
Because of its defense for fundamental rights and freedom, the MEK quickly became the largest political movement in Iran by building and expanding its base of support in the Iranian society.
On June 20, 1981, the MEK tested the democratic environment a final time by launching large peaceful demonstrations in several cities to remind the Khomeini regime of its responsibilities to respect the fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people. In Tehran, more than 500,000 people attended the demonstration, which hadn’t been publicly declared in advance. In response, Khomeini ordered the IRGC, his personal army, to open fire on the unarmed and peaceful protesters.
On the morrow of the June 20 demonstration, the Iranian regime launched a ruthless crackdown against all opposition forces, especially the supporters and members of the MEK. The regime’s forces chased and executed many Mojahedin members in the streets, and thousands were dragged into the regime’s prisons, where they were subjected to inhuman tortures and later executed. Women, children, elderly—no one was spared.
Following the banning of all opposition forces, the Khomeini regime executed and murdered some 120,000 people, most of whom were affiliated with the MEK. In Khomeini’s prisons, his guards and executioners resorted to the vilest and brutal tortures. Khomeini’s fatwas give his torturers free rein to do anything they want to torment the Mojahedin, including rape, severing body organs, gouging eyes, etc. Later, a crime against humanity known as the “1988 massacre” was committed by Khomeini where he ordered the execution of 30,000 prisoners who refused to repent their opposition to the rule of Khomeini.
Therefore, Iranians commemorate every year the anniversary of June 20, 1981, and call it the day of martyrs and political prisoners.
