Iran 25 July Day of Action

international | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Thursday July 23, 2009 14:36 by pat c - Hands off the People of Iran

Hands off the People of Iran will be taking part in the Global Day of Action on Iran to be held on Saturday 25th July. However HOPI is against any intervention by the United States or other governments. Real solidarity can only come from the working class, from those who stand with the Iranian people in their common struggle.

Protests have continued in Iran, not just on the streets but also in the work places and in the universities. Last Friday, 17 July large crowds of students gathered outside of Tehran University and defied demand from the police and militia to disperse.

At the Tehran Oil Refinery workers have been arrested for participation in trade union activities. The oil workers’ militancy is in part due to their anger about Ahmadinejad’s silly attempts to artificially create a better price of oil per barrel (looking like double the world market price) by suggesting that 200-litre barrels should be used instead of 100-litre ones.

On Tuesday 21st July anti-riot forces along with plain-clothes tried to disrupt peaceful demonstration by beating up hundreds of those protesting against presidential election rigging. Hundreds of demonstrators tried to hold a protest march in Haft-e Tire Square but were attacked by anti-riot forces who used tear-gas. Protesters were chanting " Ahmadinejad, resign, resign " and " Death to Dictator ". Eyewitnesses have also reported that police arrested dozens of people during the protests.

These protests were held in memory of 21 July 1952.On this day after five days of bloody protests and many casualties in Tehran and other cities, Mohammad Reza Shah was forced to accept the demands of Mohammad Mossadegh.

HOPI Spokesperson Anne McShane said:

Just as the peoples will and strength brought down the Shahs in 1952 and 1979 the hypocrisy of Mousavi, Khatami, Rafsanjani is well understood by many thousands of protesters on the streets of Tehran and other cities. The clerical regime is fundamentally repressive, no matter who is in power. The slogans of the protesters are becoming more radicalised and more determined day by day. They want rid of the regime, not a change of personnel.

In such a situation it is vital to build solidarity – but from the working class and progressives internationally – and not from the US or its allies who can only bring pain and suffering. We do not want Iran to be another Iraq.

HOPI will organise information stalls in Dublin and Cork on 25th July.

Contact Anne on 086 23 43 238 or [email protected]