On the last day of 2020, the Iranian people from different walks of life continued their protests against the regime’s mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism. In this respect, in the span of 24 hours, various classes of Iran’s society held at least five rallies and strikes, venting their ire against the corrupt officials and their destructive policies.
These protests showed public hatred toward the entire regime, while citizens resort to their final approach to achieve their inherent rights. In recent months, officials from both factions of the regime frequently sounded alarm bells about public distrust and its hazardous consequences for the regime’s survival.
Rally of Dey Bank’s Stockholders
In Tehran province—stockholders of the Dey Bank held a rally in front of the bank’s central building at Valiasr Street, protesting managers’ delay in announcing the increase in the bank’s capital. This is a flagrant violation, rent-seeking, and destruction of stocks’ procedure. Protesters demanded the government confront the responsible institutions.
“These protests will continue, and we as stockholders came here to receive answers to our questions, which is our legal right,” said the stockholders, chanting, “[CEO Gholamreza Khalil] Arjomandi, shame on you, let go of the Dey Bank.”
Strike of Municipal Workers
In Khuzestan province—workers of the Kut-Abdollah Municipality continued their strike, protesting officials’ failure to pay their wages. Footage shows that the garbage has been spread across the city, and sewage was not removed.
The municipality has recruited children of low-income families to do sweepers’ jobs. Kut-Abdollah Navvab Hajian Saeedi endangered these poor children’s health and lives by leaving them in polluted areas despite the coronavirus outbreak.
Locals Protest Elimination of Harra Forest
In Bushehr province—local people of the coastal city of Bander Dayyer protested the government’s destructive policies, which have eliminated parts of the Harra Forest. To prevent these irresponsible policies and save natural resources, people allocated all advertising billboards to this topic. “Harra is the city’s lung,” read all of Bander Dayyer’s billboards.
Protest Against Transferring Karun’s Water
In Khuzestan province—citizens in Ahvaz, the province’s capital, held a rally, protesting the Parliament (Majlis) for approving a budget bill that would transfer the water of the Karun River. “My city is Ahvaz, my life is Karun,” citizens wrote on a banner, raising it during their rally.
During the rally had been organized by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), an environmental activist said, “The transfer of Karun’s water puts our national security at danger.” Protesters had also held papers, reading, “No to transfer of Karun’s water.”
Farmers Protest Increasing Water Price
In Khuzestan province—in a joint letter to Khuzestan Governor Gholamreza Shariati, farmers of Karun Nakhilat [palm garden] complained of an increase in the water price by the Water and Electricity Organization.
Rally of Charity Fund’s Creditors
In Tehran province—also on December 30, creditors of the so-called Imam Reza Charity Fund in Qarchak district held a rally in front of the local judiciary building. Protesters demanded judiciary officials return their stolen properties and investigate the plundering institution’s managers.
