On Saturday, January 23, Iranian citizens resumed their protests against the regime’s oppressive and plundering policies in various provinces. In this respect, the people from different walks of life held at least four rallies to vent their anger at the officials.
In the provinces of Ilam and Sistan and Baluchestan, workers and truckers rallied once again in front of governmental offices to show their disappointment about the regime’s profiteering policies. In Qazvin province, villagers blamed officials for the cut off of potable water for several days in a row.
In the capital, employees of the state Oil Company gathered in front of the Oil Ministry, questioning hollow claims and unkept promises of high-ranking officials, including the Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini, about equality and people’s rights. However, oppressive forces attacked them and arrested several protesters.
Rally of Cement Workers
Ilam province—workers of the Dehloran Cement factory continued their rally for the fourth consecutive day. They protested the regime-backed employers for failing to pay their paychecks and insurance rights.
#IranProtests#Ilam—workers of the Dehloran Cement factory continued their rally for the fourth consecutive day on January 23.
They demand their overdue paychecks and insurance rights. pic.twitter.com/bznOC27cLs— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 24, 2021
Notably, employers had promised workers to resolve their problems within one month. However, with the deadline passed for several days, not only did employers not fulfill their commitments, but they also have raised pressure on workers.
Rally of Villagers for Potable Water
Qazvin province—residents of Lat al-Mout-e Gharbi (Ahmadabad) held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate, protesting the cut off of potable water.
#IranProtests#Qazvin—residents of Ahmadabad village held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate. They protested officials for the cut off of the potable water for several days.
"No official is accountable," villagers said. pic.twitter.com/PyGcTZesxy— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 24, 2021
“From several days ago, we scrambled with the lack of potable water. We have no potable water. To provide potable water for our families, we have to carry it in containers. No official is accountable for our dilemmas,” said villagers.
Rally of Truck Drivers
Sistan and Baluchestan province—truck drivers in the Saravan district gathered in front of the local Governorate, protesting officials for revoking their fuel quota cards. They demanded officials remove the coding system and explain why their fuel cards have been expired.
#IranProtests #SistanAndBaluchestan—for the several times, truckers rallied in front of Saravan's Governorate, protesting officials for expiring and coding their fuel quota cards.
They blamed officials for flagrant discrimination against their colleagues and fellow-citizens. pic.twitter.com/30f3qzLyRe— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 24, 2021
“Once again, [officials] have revoked and coded our fuel cards. Every time, we must pay fines and huge money to reactive our fuel cards,” said a trucker.
Truck drivers criticized governmental apparatuses’ extrajudicial pressure on citizens and described this pressure as flagrant discrimination. They say such pressure is considered as an independent law for the people of Sistan and Baluchestan province.
“This fabricated law does not exist in any other city, which compels truckers to pay fines to receive fuel quota cards,” truck drivers said.
Rally of Oil Employees and Workers
Tehran province—employees of the state Oil Company held a rally in front of the Oil Ministry in Taleghani Street. They protested officials’ indifference about their living conditions, education, and balance of their retirement documents.
#IranProtests #Tehran—employees of Oil Company rallied in front of the Oil Ministry, protesting officials' indifference about their living conditions, education, and retirement documents. pic.twitter.com/FJa8apX3o1
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 24, 2021
In response to the oil employees’ rally, the State Security Forces interfered and disperse the crowd. Furthermore, oppressive forces detained several protesters and took them to an unknown location.
Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Five Rallies and Strikes on January 21