On Sunday, February 21, citizens in Iran held at least 26 rallies and protests in various cities, including nationwide rallies and marches of retirees and pensioners affiliated with the Social Security Organization in 20 cities across 16 provinces.
They vented their anger over the regime’s failure to follow up their demands despite their ongoing protests and rallies in recent weeks. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), saluted the deprived retirees who have risen up to obtain their rights.
Furthermore, contract teachers, retirees of the Steel and Mine Industry in Isfahan, and public schools’ janitors held their gatherings in front of the Parliament (Majlis), showing their despair over the regime in its entirety.
HEPCO workers also gathered once again and carried the company’s coffin symbolically as a sign of their ire about the regime’s failure to settle the company’s debts and resume the production cycle.
In Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, earthquake-stricken people protested the regime’s failure to resolve their basic dilemmas in parallel with the judiciary chief’s publicity visit to quake-hit areas.
Additionally, emergency and contract medical staff in the holy city of Mashhad, the capital of the northeastern province of Razavi Khorasan, rallied at the Medical Sciences University’s site, blaming officials for failing to improve their living conditions despite their selfless function during the Covid-19 era.
Countrywide Rally of Retirees
Despite the regime’s oppressive measures, threats, and hollow words, retirees, pensioners, and welfare recipients affiliated with the Social Security Organization once again rallied in Tehran and 19 other cities across Iran. They protested inflation, unbearably high prices, and low retirement benefits.
They reiterated their demands for adjusting their salaries and pensions based on the inflation rate. “We will not rest until we get our rights,” “Only by taking to the streets could we gain our rights,” “We are tired of the injustice,” “Our country sits on rich resources, but the retirees are suffering,” “The gatherings will continue until we reach our goals,” “The poverty line is 12 million rials, our salary is 2 million rials,” and “Our enemy is right here, they lie when they claim it’s America,” they chanted.
Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Six Rallies and Strikes on February 14
In addition to Tehran, protesters rallied in the cities of Tabriz, Eastern Azarbaijan province; Arak, Markazi province; Isfahan, Isfahan province; Rasht, Gilan province; Mashhad and Neyshabur, Razavi Khorasan province; Kermanshah, Kermanshah province; Ahvaz, Shushtar, Dezful, Shush, and Haft-Tappeh, Khuzestan province; Yazd, Yazd province; Khorramabad, Lorestan province; Ilam, Ilam province; Qazvin, Qazvin province; Karaj, Alborz province; Bojnurd, South Khorasan province; Sari, Mazandaran province; and Ardabil, Ardabil province.
In Tehran, demonstrators marched towards the ‘Organization of Planning and Budget,’ chanting slogans and expressing their anger at the authorities’ failure to address their legitimate demands. “This rally was a warning to let officials know that we will not always gather here and stand and chant … next time it will not be like this!” said a protester.
#IranProtests#Tehran—retirees and pension recipients of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the general office, protesting officials' failure to adjust their pension based on the inflation rate.
"Retirees' demands is pension based on inflation"—Protesters pic.twitter.com/mdOsndGj96— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Mashhad city, the capital of the northeastern province of Razavi Khorasan, retirees affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the organization’s representation, chanting, “We want our rights, and we will obtain our rights.”
#IranProtests #RazaviKhorasan—retirees affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the organization's representation in Mashhad city, the province's capital, chanting, "We want our rights, and we will obtain our rights." pic.twitter.com/YI6SZWxzpv
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
Also, in Neyshabur city, Razavi Khorasan province, pensioners rallied in front of the local representation, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands. “Imprudent official, resign, resign,” protesters chanted.
#IranProtests#RazaviKhorasan—retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation in Neyshabur city, protesting officials' failure to meet their demands.
"Imprudent official, resign, resign," protesters chanted. pic.twitter.com/qsHD8BViA9— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Ahvaz, the capital of the southwestern province of Khuzestan, Social Security Organization retirees rallied in front of the organization’s general office. “Tyranny is enough, our food baskets are empty,” “Thieves have stolen retirees’ fund,” and “Our Lord, eradicate tyranny,” they chanted.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—Social Security Organization's retirees rallied in front of the Org's general office in Ahvaz city, province's capital.
"Tyranny is enough, our food baskets are empty," "Thieves have stolen retirees' fund," & "Our Lord, eradicate tyranny," they chanted. pic.twitter.com/seGObXmaYk— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In the cities of Shush and Haft-Tappeh, Khuzestan province, retirees of the Social Security Organization marched on the streets, chanting, “[Organization CEO Mostafa] Salari, shame on you, and let go of the organization” and “Our country sits on treasure, but retirees suffer.”
#IranProtests #Khuzestan—retirees of the Social Security Organization marched in Shush & Haft-Tappeh cities' streets, chanting, "[Organization CEO] Mostafa Salari, shame on you and let go of the organization" and "Our country has been laid on the treasure, but retirees suffer." pic.twitter.com/VecZUXX0so
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
Also, in Dezful city, Khuzestan province, retirees rallied in front of the local representation, protesting officials’ failure to follow up their demands.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—retirees in Dezful city of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation, protesting officials' failure to follow up their demands. pic.twitter.com/GcJAnWslVe
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In the northern province of Mazandaran, retirees and welfare recipients gathered in front of the local representation in Sari city, protesting low-value pensions and officials’ failure to balance pensions with the inflation rate. “Promises are enough, our food baskets are empty,” they chanted.
#IranProtests#Mazandaran—retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation, protesting low-value pensions and officials' failure to balance pensions with the inflation rate.
"Promises are enough, our food baskets are empty," they chanted. pic.twitter.com/KFVZLQSLQ7— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Bojnourd city, the capital of the northeastern province of South Khorasan, retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the local representation, protesting officials’ failure to meet retirees demands.
#IranProtests#SouthKhorasan—retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation in Bojnourd city, the province's capital, protesting officials' failure to meet retirees demands. pic.twitter.com/2tQnNltDgl
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Alborz province, west of Tehran, retirees and pension-recipients affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation in Karaj city, the province’s capital, protesting officials’ failure to follow up protesters’ demands.
#IranProtests#Alborz—retirees and pension-recipients affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation in Karaj city, the province's capital, protesting officials' failure to follow up protesters' demands. pic.twitter.com/z8YntJNnnX
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Isfahan province, central Iran, retirees gathered in front of the local representation, pursuing their demands. “Increasing salaries and pensions based on actual living expenses is the retirees’ definite right,” protesters had written on banners.
#IranProtests#Isfahan—retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation, pursuing their demands.
"Increasing salaries and pensions based on actual living expenses is the retirees' definite right," protesters had written on banners. pic.twitter.com/RtVdgGobNU— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In the northwestern province of Eastern Azarbaijan, pensioners rallied in front of the organization’s representation in Tabriz city, the province’s capital, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands.
#IranProtests#EasternAzarbaijan—retirees and pension-recipients affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the organization's representation in Tabriz city, the province's capital, protesting officials' failure to meet their demands. pic.twitter.com/TdVnzJYKAf
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Yazd province, southeast of Tehran, retirees gathered in front of the local representation, blaming officials for failing to meet their demands.
#IranProtests#Yazd—retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation, blaming officials for failing to meet their demands. pic.twitter.com/hGCzVDpl0z
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In the western province of Ilam, retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the local representation, protesting officials’ failure to follow up their demands.
#IranProtests#Ilam—retirees and pensioners affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation, protesting officials' failure to follow up their demands. pic.twitter.com/BUzjyrZ7Ey
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
In Lorestan province, pensioners gathered in front of the local representation in Khorramabad city, the province’s capital, protesting officials’ failure to follow up their demands.
#IranProtests#Lorestan—retirees of the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the local representation in Khorramabad city, province's capital, protesting officials' failure to follow up their demands. pic.twitter.com/BRrEN0OToI
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 21, 2021
NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi saluted the deprived retirees who have risen up and protested to obtain their rights and said that as long as this corrupt and plundering regime is in power, poverty, discrimination, inflation, high prices and unemployment will continue and intensify.
So long as this corrupt regime is in power, poverty, discrimination, inflation, high prices and unemployment will only aggravate. #IranProtests
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) February 21, 2021
Rally of Contract Teachers
Tehran province—contract teachers held a rally in front of the Majlis. They protested officials’ failure to meet their demands.
#IranProtests#Tehran—contract teachers once again rallied in front of the Parliament, protesting officials' failure to follow up their demands. pic.twitter.com/VNJWc7wiKg
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
In recent weeks, contract teachers, as well as trainers, preschool educators, and teachers affiliated with the Literacy Movement have gathered several times in front of the Majlis and education departments in different cities.
Rally of Steel and Mine Industry Retirees
Tehran province—retirees affiliated with the Steel and Mine Industry in Isfahan province held a gathering in front of the Majlis. They blamed officials for failing to follow up their demands.
#IranProtests#Tehran—retirees of the Steel and Mine Industry in Isfahan province, rallied in front of the Parliament, protesting officials' refusal to pay retirees' salaries and insurance rights. pic.twitter.com/nXZJzW4lB9
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
Protesters criticized officials for not implementing articles of the budget bill. According to Article 7 of the bill, officials must pay retirees’ salaries and insurance rights. However, the government refrains from applying its own law.
Rally of Janitors
Tehran province—janitors of public schools held a rally in front of the Majlis, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands.
#IranProtests#Tehran—janitors of public schools rallied in front of the Parliament, protesting officials' failure to meet their demands. pic.twitter.com/bgn2KvGJaT
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
In recent weeks, janitors have several times gathered in front of the Majlis. However, the government has yet to follow up their demands, adding salt to these people’s injuries.
Rally of HEPCO Workers
Markazi province—a group of HEPCO workers in Arak symbolically held a funeral for the company and carried out the HEPCO’s coffin. They had gathered downtown near the Social Security Organization.
Workers protested officials’ failure to keep their promises. They also criticized the government for failing to resolve the company’s debts’ dilemmas and to create a production boom.
#IranProtests#Markazi—HEPCO workers symbolically carried the company's coffin, protesting officials' failure to settle the company's debts.
For months, workers called on the government to resolve HEPCO's economic dilemmas to resume the production cycle. They only received vows. pic.twitter.com/mVrhlSoYDk— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
“In recent months and weeks, our discussions and demands obtained nothing. All the doors are still locked, and the debts’ problems have yet to resolve. Our efforts achieved no outcome despite our representatives’ trip to Tehran and their meetings with relevant officials,” protesters said.
“We have yet to receive our salaries since late December 2020. Moreover, we did not receive our wage benefits before. We are concerned about the production’s future. We are fed up with unkept promises,” workers added.
Quake-Stricken People’s Protests
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province—earthquake-stricken residents of Sisakht city protested officials’ failure to resolve their dilemmas after several days. In tandem with judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to the quake-hit regions, the people expressed their anger at the regime’s inaction and imprudence.
#IranProtests#KohgiluyehAndBoyerAhmad—in tandem with judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi's publicity trip to quake-hit regions, stricken people vented their anger over the regime's failure and imprudence to resolve their dilemmas. "We have not even a blanket," said a protester. pic.twitter.com/RP0bc2mvb8
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
These people have almost lost their all belongings and properties. They have no shelter and suffer from cold and rainy weather. “Come and look, we do not even have one blanket. No one pays attention to us. We have been in cold-temperature weather for four days, but no one came to see to our condition,” said a protester.
Rally of Emergency and Medical Staff
Razavi Khorasan province—a group of emergency sector staff and contract healthcare workers staged a gathering at Mashhad Medical Sciences University’s yard.
#IranProtests#RazaviKhorasan—emergency staff in Mashhad rallied at the Medical Sciences University's site, protesting officials' failure to improve their living dilemmas amidst the #CoronavirusOutbreak. pic.twitter.com/6QpX1cW0b1
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
They protested officials’ failure to implement their approved rules, such as the law for upgrading exploitation. Despite the country’s greatest health crisis, the regime still refrains from allocating adequate budget to these selfless people.
#IranProtests#RazaviKhorasan—contract workers and emergency staff chanted, "Extraordinary pensions are our rights” and “We are medical staff either contract or officially." pic.twitter.com/O7yJR7H9Qo
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) February 22, 2021
The regime’s horrible performance meets enormous dilemmas for healthcare workers amidst the coronavirus outbreak. “Extraordinary pensions are our rights” and “We are medical staff either contract or officially,” chanted protesters in their rally.
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