Iran Protests: Teachers, Nurses, and Youths Rally Across the Country Against Economic and Social Injustice

Staff WriterNovember 17, 2024
Iran Protests: Teachers, Nurses, and Youths Rally Across the Country Against Economic and Social Injustice
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, protests erupted across Iran as retired teachers,

Written by
Sedighe Shahrokhi
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, protests erupted across Iran as retired teachers, nurses, and healthcare workers gathered in different cities to voice their frustrations over worsening living conditions, unfulfilled promises, and systemic neglect by the clerical regime. These demonstrations reflect a growing wave of dissatisfaction that has been building over recent days.

In Tehran, retired teachers from the 2022 cohort staged a protest outside the presidential office on Pasteur Street, holding 10,000-toman bills as a symbol of mockery and chanting, “Pezeshkian, shame on you!” and “Ranking is our right—it’s the fruit of our hard work.” They criticized the government’s ranking and salary equalization scheme, calling it deceptive and insufficient to address their dire economic conditions. One protester shouted, “What we’ve received is nothing but trickery and lies.” Nearby, nurses and healthcare workers from Loghman Hospital gathered to demand better wages, benefits, and overdue compensation, with one nurse stating, “We’ve waited too long for the promises of fair pay to materialize.”

In Shiraz, Fars Province, nurses at Rajai Hospital continued their strike for the ninth consecutive day, protesting low wages and harsh working conditions. Despite repeated government promises, their grievances remain unaddressed. One striking nurse said, “We are here because we cannot continue to work under these conditions.”

Earlier this week, on November 13, students at the Arts University of Isfahan in Isfahan Province rallied against the poor conditions of their dormitories, particularly those of female students, and demanded immediate improvements to the university’s facilities. “The lack of basic infrastructure is unacceptable and shows how little they care about us,” said one student.

In Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, also on November 13, bold slogans such as “Down with Khamenei” were written on the walls of a security forces base, demonstrating the defiance of Iran’s youth. The graffiti highlights the simmering anger and frustration of a generation that has grown increasingly disillusioned with the regime.

Meanwhile, in Yasuj, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, physicians and faculty members rallied on November 13 to protest the violence against healthcare workers, including the recent killing of doctors. They demanded that authorities take immediate action to ensure their safety and improve working conditions, calling out the regime’s negligence.

In Tehran, students at Khajeh Nasir University held a protest on November 13, voicing concerns over the lack of emergency facilities and inadequate infrastructure at their university. The students expressed their frustration with the authorities’ neglect and demanded urgent improvements.

These protests come as the economic situation in Iran continues to deteriorate, with widespread dissatisfaction among workers, retirees, students, and healthcare professionals. Many are demanding fair wages, better pensions, and improved working and living conditions, as well as accountability from the government.

Amid these demonstrations, Resistance Units have played a critical role in encouraging defiance and highlighting the regime’s failures. Their graffiti campaigns and acts of solidarity with the protests mark a continuation of the opposition movement, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising. These acts underline the resilience of the Iranian people and their growing determination to challenge the oppressive policies of the clerical regime.

Staff WriterNovember 17, 2024
Arab-Islamic Committee in Defence of Ashraf
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