On January 19, Iranian citizens held at least six rallies in different cities, venting their anger at the regime’s plundering and profiteering policies. House customers, students, stockholders, car customers, and merchants organized the rallies.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Six Rallies and Strikes on January 19

In many cases, officials’ mismanagement pushed citizens to take to the streets and protest several times. Dire economic conditions, the coronavirus’ consequences, and unkept promises by government-linked entities and individuals have fueled public ire in recent weeks.

Rally of House Customers
Rally of House Customers

Rally of House Customers

Khuzestan province—for the second consecutive day, people who had registered for houses, held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate. They protested Maskan-e Mehr contractor’s failure to deliver their houses during the Mina Project in Masjed Soleiman county.

“For years, we have paid sums as residential units’ owners. However, the Maskan-e Mehr has yet to deliver any houses,” said the protesters. “Where is our money?” they wrote on a banner.

Rally of Housing Cooperative Members
Rally of Housing Cooperative Members

Rally of Housing Cooperative Members

Khuzestan province—housing cooperative members of Maskean-e Mehr’s 2000-unit project in Ahvaz held a rally in front of the House and Urban Development Office.

In their rally, protesters blamed officials for failing to keep their promises for around ten years. “After ten years, we demand officials follow up Maskan-e Mehr’s 2000-unit project in Naft-e Ahvaz district,” the people wrote on a banner.

Rally of Ph.D. Students
Rally of Ph.D. Students

Rally of Ph.D. Students

Tehran province—Ph.D. students of the Azad [Free] University held a rally in front of the university’s central building. They protested the adoption of a new directive about defending dissertations.

Notably, on January 6, these students had rallied to voice their protests against unfair decisions made by the university’s managing board and dean.

Rally of Tehran Bourse Stockholders
Rally of Tehran Bourse Stockholders

Rally of Tehran Bourse Stockholders

Tehran province—protesting a sharp drop in stock values and losing their capitals, shareholders of the Tehran Stock Market held a rally in front of the Stock Exchange Organization.

In their rally, stockholders expressed their anger against the officials’ misleading comments, which led to them losing their investments. “[President Hassan] Rouhani steals, the police support him” and “Let go of the JCPOA [Iran 2015 nuclear deal] and do not circumvent our pockets,” chanted the protesters.

Rally of MG360 Automobile’s Customers
Rally of MG360 Automobile’s Customers

Rally of MG360 Automobile’s Customers

Tehran province—a group of customers of MG360 automobiles produced by Azvico Company held a rally in front of the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade, protesting the automaker company’s failure to deliver their pre-purchased cars.

Notably, in recent weeks, the car’s customers have time and again rallied in different areas in Tehran, protesting the government-backed automaking companies’ failure to deliver their products. In some cases, automakers have suddenly increased the prices, which prompted clients’ ire. Due to the Revolutionary Guards’ involvement in Iran’s automaking industry, many private manufacturers were compelled to withdraw from this field. The automaking industry is one of the latest sectors to have been dominated by IRGC commanders to fill their pockets and use its privileges for suppressive and aggressive proposes.

Rally of Merchants
Rally of Merchants

Rally of Merchants

Mazandaran province—in Tonekabon county, merchants held a rally in front of the local Governorate. Given their economic and living dilemmas, protesters demanded the resumption of the Bazaar’s activity.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak and the regime’s failure to support small businesses and impoverished people, many workers and merchants have been severely affected by the pandemic. In such circumstances, not only officials do not support the majority of society but also, they have left them to opt between dying of starvation or the disease. Worse, they impose heavy fines or ban those trying to make ends meet while they are left with no other solution.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Five Rallies and Strikes on January 18