Protests rising again in Iran and Rojhilat

Following the regime’s use of heavy weapons on 7–8 January, memorials marking the 40th day for those who lost their lives were held on 17–18 February. Over the past four days, protests have regained momentum with strikes initiated by university students. In a call issued on 21 February, students announced that they would go on strike on 23 February.

Thousands of students filled campuses throughout the day, turning universities into rally grounds with chants of “Death to the dictator” and “Freedom.”

Wave of protests at university

Students at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran gathered on campus chanting slogans against Khamenei. They declared, “Until the cleric is shrouded, this homeland will not be a real homeland,” and “This is the final message; the real target is the regime itself.”

At Sharif University, which led the 23 February strike call, plainclothes regime forces reportedly tried to prevent students from joining the protests. In a statement, students described the regime as “armed mercenaries and killers” and called on the public to show solidarity outside university gates.

Students at the University of Tehran held a mass gathering. Slogans included, “Years of crimes, death to this guardianship system!”, “Death to the dictator!”, “This plucked flower has become a gift to the homeland,” and “Until the mullah is shrouded, this homeland will not be a real homeland.”

Students at Alzahra University joined the protests carrying photos of their slain classmates.

Hundreds of students protested at the University of Science and Culture.

Students gathered at Amirkabir University with the message, “Neither Shah nor Mullah.”

At Isfahan University of Technology, students protested with slogans such as, “This year is the year of blood, Seyyed Ali will be overthrown,” and “After years of crimes, death to this guardianship rule!”

Students at the University of Science and Culture also declared, “We will continue the path of our loved ones,” while chants throughout the protests included, “If one dies, a thousand will rise,” and “Basij, Sepah, ISIS, it is you.”