Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, December 30, 2019—Despite the heavy presence of security forces in different Iranian cities and widespread efforts by the Iranian regime to intimidate the public and prevent further demonstrations, people in several cities continue to take to the streets to protest the government’s corruption.
On Saturday, landowners in Qazvin’s Katabad held a rally in front of the governor’s office, protesting new divisions that classify their lands as outside of urban areas.
One of the protesters said, “We were informed three days ago that these lands are no longer in the urban area. Until a year ago, the municipality of the second district had promised to purchase these lands from their owners. But these lands have been removed from the urban area.” At present, these lands have 350 owners.
The lands of Katabad straddle across approx. 200 acres and are located between Pastor Hospital and Qods district. These areas, which were rich tree gardens, have now turned into arid patches of dry land.
Landowners of Qazvin's Katabad protest new municipality divisions
On Sunday, a group of customers held a demonstration in front of the headquarters of the state-run Saipa vehicle manufacturer in Karaj. The protesters, who have leased Sandro vehicles from the car company, were protesting not receiving vehicles they had ordered in 2017. They were holding placards reading, “We will get back our rights.”
Customers of Saipa car manufacturer protest to the corrupt practices of the company
On Sunday, 98 municipality workers in Borujerd, Lorestan province, went on strike in protest to being transferred to the cleaning section of the municipality. Many streets and districts in Borujerd have become filled with garbage and there’s an unpleasant smell across different areas of the city.
On the same day, sugar cane workers of Haft Tappeh Sugar Mill, in Khuzestan province, held a protest rally in front of the company’s headquarters in protest to receiving no response to their demands.
Protest by sugar cane workers of Haft Tappeh
The students of Beheshti University in Tehran held a demonstration in the University’s Hashtrudi compound in protest to new rules that impose increasing financial costs and penalties on students.
Protests by students of Beheshti University, Tehran
December 23 – Tehran, #Iran
Retirees from across the country rallying outside the regime's Majlis (parliament) and holding a protest gathering coinciding with a nationwide strike by teachers.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/ZeY6VPfACl— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 23, 2019
State-run media warn against social unrests
“Without paying attention to and removing the roots of the social unrests, there is a fire under ashes that will flare up again with a single spark,” Bahar News, a state-run news website, warned on Saturday, quoting authorities from one of the ruling factions.
“Who can ignore the poor economic conditions of the people? Denying the economic conditions of the society, including employment, salaries, and happiness is illogical. The situation of the people is a testament to this bitter reality. The eruption of peaceful social protests is a way to express demands and release some of the mental pressure that is on society. The rulers must act smartly and allow these peaceful protests to take place before they turn into violent riots,” Bahar News warned.
