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.
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
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.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—on January 19, people, who had registered for the house, held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate, protesting Maskan-e Mehr's failure to deliver their houses.
"What happened to our money?" protesters have written on a banner. pic.twitter.com/ykANMP8TS6— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 20, 2021
“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
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.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—members of housing cooperative of Maskan-e Mehr's 2000-unit project in Ahvaz held a rally, protesting officials' failure to deliver their residential units after ten years. pic.twitter.com/ZbTx1lRpsD
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 20, 2021
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
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.
#IranProtests#Tehran—Ph.D. students of the Azad University once again held a rally in front of the university's central building. They protested adopting the new directive about defending the dissertation. pic.twitter.com/eoZxk079oT
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 20, 2021
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
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.
#IranProtests#Tehran—shareholders of Tehran Stock Market once again rallied, protesting officials' misleading comments about the stock index.
"[President] Rouhani steals, Police supports him" and "Let go of the nuclear deal and do not circumvent our pockets," protesters chanted. pic.twitter.com/quG1lp7aJ6— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 20, 2021
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
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.
#IranProtests#Tehran—customers of MG360 automobiles held a rally in front of the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade, protesting officials' failure to deliver their pre-purchased cars. pic.twitter.com/KK7ajpe1v6
— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 20, 2021
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
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.
#IranProtests#Mazandaran—merchants in Tonekabon county held a rally in front of the Local Governorate, protesting the bazaar shutdown.
They demanded the financial activities be resumed due to their dire economic and living conditions. pic.twitter.com/xxvoU2MMs9— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 20, 2021
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
