Teachers condemn the repressive measures by Iranian regime and call for urgent action to release the detained teachers
On the occasion of Teachers’ Day in Iran on May 2nd, Iranian teachers and academics staged protests in dozens of cities and towns across Iran and chanted slogans against the mullahs plundering and unpopular policies. They called for urgent action to release their imprisoned colleagues among other things.
The teachers’ demonstrations took place in Tehran and a large number of other cities including Mashhad, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Sanandaj, Isfahan, Yazd, Urumieh, Qazvin, Shiraz, Karaj, Arak, Hamedan, Ardebil, Sari, Khoram-Abad, Rasht, Ilam, Mahabad, Marivan, Kamyaran, Javanroud, Divandareh, Islam-Abad, Qorveh, Torbat Heydarieh, Mamasani, Boukan, Marivan, Dehkalan, Saqez, Aligoudarz, Doroud and several other cities and towns.
According to a Statement by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), impressive number of women were also among protesters. The protesting teachers chanted the following slogans, “Our suffering is your suffering, people join us”, “Teachers are in jail, plunderers are at large”, “Detained teachers must be released” and “Workers, teachers, unite, unite.”
They also carried placards reading, “Free and quality education is the just right of all Iranian children” and “Teachers’ salary is one third of that of poverty line”.
In Tehran and several other cites, the regime’s suppressive forces tried to disperse the protesters but faced resistance. Despite the peaceful protests, several protesters were arrested by the security forces and MOIS agents.
The Iranian Resistance President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, greeted the freedom-seeking teachers who have risen for their rights and called on the people, especially students, to support the teachers and their just demands. She also called on international human rights organization and teachers’ unions across the world to condemn the Iranian regime and take urgent action for the release of the arrested and detained teachers.