Protests continue across Iran over the dire economic conditions that see 80% of the country in poverty, with more Iranians citing the heart of the issue as being regime corruption and mismanagement.
On Sunday, 18 April 2021 for the 14th week in a row, pensioners of Iran’s Social Security Organization protested their living conditions, which are caused by pensions that do not rise with inflation, and the regime’s failure to solve the problem. They held the protests in spite of intimidation and called on the public to boycott the presidential elections in June.
These were just some of the chants heard:
- “We will no longer vote because we have not seen any justice”
- “Parliament, government enough lying to the nation”
- “Government betrays, parliament supports”
- “We will not vote anymore; we have heard enough lies”
- “We will not rest until we obtain our rights”
- “Only by taking to the street, we can obtain our rights”
On Monday, 19 April 2021 farmers in Ziar city, Isfahan province blocked the road with their vehicles and set fire to tires to demand their right to water irrigation. On a related note, farmers in Vajjareh village protested over the same issue. A protester said that the regime “violated our right and yet prosecute us”, while also stealing the water to see it onto other cities.
Also on Monday, university graduate teachers protested for equal pay and rights in Karaj, during which one of the speakers was arrested but released the next day. While Sepahan Cement Factory workers Diziche, Isfahan province went on strike over low wages.
Several cities also saw rallies by defrauded investors who had lost their life savings in the stock market, which regime officials had encouraged them to invest in, after the bubble burst.
They chanted:
- “We will continue our rally until our demands are met”
- “We won’t vote anymore; we did not see a good official”
- “Government had a budget deficit, so it stole our money”
- “Government betrays, and Majlis supports”
- “We won’t vote anymore; we haven’t seen any justice”
- “We will not vote anymore; we’ve heard too many lies”
On Tuesday 20 April 2021, personnel from ABFA Water Department in Izeh rallied to demand the payment of their wages, which are months overdue.
One thing is for certain, the Iranian society is desperate for a change, and they are so wrought up that even the smallest spark could set them off, as has been warned by officials and the state-run media alike.
