FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
With their faces covered and their index and middle fingers pointing downwards in the shape of an inverted “V”, young Iranians are photographed to avoid identification by authorities. The symbol represents the number eight and refers to the year 1380 of the Persian calendar (jalali), the generation born around 2001, known as Generation Z.
For five days, students and young people have returned to the streets to protest against the Islamic Republic's regime. Just about a month and a half ago, clashes with security forces left hundreds dead, according to reports from activists and opposition sources. The victims were mostly young people, classmates, friends and partners of the current protesters, who had taken to the streets chanting slogans against the country's leadership.
Despite the fear that the crackdown was intended to spread, students have returned to university campuses as soon as they reopened. At universities such as those in Tehran and Mashhad, young people have gathered in campus courtyards, which until last Saturday remained closed to prevent gatherings. About 80% of universities continue to offer virtual learning.
Protesters are demanding the end of the Islamic Republic and are organizing marches to commemorate the victims of recent clashes. According to evidence circulating on social media, the organization is done through communication applications, where students set up meeting points near faculties. They emphasize that their movement stems from the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest, which began after the death of Mahsa Jina Amini in custody.
Some of them publicly declare that they have no intention of withdrawing, even though they face arrests and violence from the Basij forces, who reportedly intervene to disperse the crowds. On social media, protesters compare their reality with that of their peers in other countries and express that they are not ready to give up their rights and aspirations.
Iranian authorities are reacting by announcing measures to restore order. The Attorney General, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, has called on relevant institutions to act decisively and in accordance with the law to identify and punish those he considers to be destabilizing elements. According to him, “hostile movements” are trying to incite unrest in the country’s internal space, especially during periods when Iran is engaged in international negotiation processes.
Protesters, for their part, have openly defied restrictions imposed by the authorities, including a ban on burning the flag and chanting against the Supreme Leader. Several videos posted online show slogans against key figures in the regime. / Pamphlet
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