World Threats

These from our friends in Iran.

In Tehran after Ahmadinejad went to Tehran University’s School of Medical Science without prior notice, the students in this university gathered in protest and chanted slogans such as “death to dictator”, “Freedom and justice, the cry of all Iranians”, “we are all one voice, we are Neda and Sohrab (referring to two young Iranians who were shot and killed in post election protests). They intended to go to Enqelab Square in support of workers on Labor Day but were prevented by security forces. These students then decided to leave the university in smaller groups and then gather on the intersection of 16 Azar Street. At around 6pm they gathered at the intersection and started chanting slogans against the government but were immediately attacked by security forces and forced to disperse.

According to other reports in Tehran, at about 5:30 pm in Azadi St. security forces attacked and beat shop owners who were giving people sandwiches and drinks and ice cream. Security forces were doing the beating, but they got their orders from plainclothes agents who were wearing masks. About 10 people were arrested by these forces and a large number of men and women were taken inside the Labor Ministry yard and were kept there until 7 pm. Other detainees were taken to the Navab Police Station.
More than 1000 protesters outside the Labor Ministry also chanted slogans against the government. They were attacked by security forces after a while and forced to disperse.
In other reports from the Azarbaijan and Azadi Intersection, about 50 young protesters chanted death to dictator at 7pm. Security forces ferociously attacked these protesters and arrested a number of them.

Security forces stopped three buses with protesters from Karaj, Islamshahr, Robat Karim and Shahriar who had come to Tehran to participate in Labor Day ceremonies. The protesters had placards with pictures of jailed labor activists like the head of the Tehran Bus Union Mansour Osalu and Ibrahim Madaddi and were chanting ‘jailed workers must be freed’ and ‘workers unite, unite’. Riot police forced the bus drivers to go back and threatened the workers that if they do not turn back, all of them will be arrested.

There were also protests in Kermanshah in Mosadeq Street.

Very heavy security presence in Tehran – Labor Day in Tehran – May 1,2010