On Thursday, January 28, Iranian citizens from different walks of life held at least five rallies and strikes in various cities. They protested the regime’s irresponsible and profiteering policies, which have led people’s lives into enormous dilemmas in different fields.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Five Rallies and Strikes on January 28

Creditors, vendors, bus drivers, students, and teachers organized Thursday’s protests. In their rallies, citizens vent their anger at the regime and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to plunder their properties or fail to provide necessities.

“For God’s sake, someone come and help us… We are toiler citizens,” said a female teacher whose money has been stolen by government-backed institutions in Lorestan province.

Rally of Creditors in Tehran—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28
Rally of Creditors in Tehran—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28

Rally of Creditors

Tehran province—creditors of the Caspian Credit Institution held a rally in front of the institution’s settling board building. They protested the IRGC-backed officials for failing to settle their demands.

After four years of plundering people’s properties with official permissions, in collusion with the state-run Broadcasting Organization (IRIB), the institution’s managers announced that they have yet to settle 542 cases alone.

This is while the institution did not wholly pay its debts to 475,000 Caspian and Fereshtegan institutes investors. All of these investors are angry and have no supporters.

Rally of Vendors in Sanandaj—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28
Rally of Vendors in Sanandaj—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28

Rally of Street Vendors

Kurdistan province—vendors of Sanandaj’s Ferdowsi Street held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate, showing their discontent about officials’ new decisions. According to a new plan, officials compelled street sellers to start their businesses after 6:30 pm.

The implementation of the plan has put these poor people in dire conditions. They demanded an increase in their work hours, reasoning that they can earn nothing after 6:30 pm.

“Citizens have purchased their necessities and gone to their houses before 6:30 pm,” said protesters, adding, “We must stare for clients while since the specified time there are no people on the streets. In such circumstances, we cannot provide our lives’ expenditures.”

Notably, due to the government’s mismanagement, many people have no stable careers, and they have to make ends meet through such jobs. However, not only officials do not aid citizens, particularly unemployed youths, but their rub salt to their wounds with unreasonable instructions.

Bus Drivers’ Protest About Fuel Shortage—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28
Bus Drivers’ Protest About Fuel Shortage in Tehran—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28

Bus Drivers’ Protest About Fuel Shortage

Tehran province—the lack of fuel and officials’ idle prompted bus drivers affiliated with Tehran Bus Services to protest.

“[We face] once again fuel queue, without-owner country, and without-owner bus services. Here, we are around 40 buses in this queue. However, there is no one to pursue the problem; there is no official,” said a protester.

“We have to spend one workday in fuel queue despite the coronavirus situation and our dilemmas,” the protester continued.

Notably, Iran’s transportation system lacks sufficient infrastructure, causing enormous economic and even health problems for both staff and citizens. Significantly, during the Covid-19 period, the situation has exaggerated and led to the infection of many people with the deadly virus.

Rally of Dental Students—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28
Rally of Dental Students in Tebriz—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28

Rally of Dental Students

Eastern Azarbaijan province—Tabriz Medical Sciences University students held a rally at the dentistry faculty’s yard. They protested officials for recent changes in education curriculums and examinations’ protocols. 

Dental students demand officials appoint a special manager for the examination course. They also protested the practical curriculum, which is not proper for improving students’ skills.

During the latest round of examinations, several universities, including the medical sciences universities in Tabriz and Urmia, suddenly and irrationally limited the time for answering questions. Regarding difficulties with internet access, students have faced additional dilemmas, which raised their anger.

Rally of Housing Cooperative Members—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28
Rally of Housing Cooperative Members in Lorestan province—Iranian citizens continue protests on January 28

Rally of Housing Cooperative Members

Lorestan province—in Nour-Abad county, teachers who had joined the Education Department’s Housing Cooperative held a rally in front of the cooperative.

More than 16 years ago, they sold their properties and took high-interest loans to purchase lands, hoping to achieve land and build a shelter for themselves.

However, after 16 years, they have gained nothing, and their dreams have turned into a mirage. Officials have even removed several teachers from clients’ list and plundered their meager properties.

“I am a teacher in Nour-Abad county. According to these documents, I deposited my money in 2004. However, there is neither my name nor my address in the [housing cooperative’s] list,” said a female teacher.

“After 16 years, how should I take back my money? When I deposited the money, I had nothing, and I had borrowed and taken loans… Our money has gone, and anyone did nothing for us,” she said while crying and added, “For God’s sake, someone comes and takes our rights. We are toiler citizens.”

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Five Rallies and Strikes on January 27

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