Continuation of Student Protests and a Big 'No' to the Islamic Republic; Expulsion of an Active Student from University

As student protests continue across the country and the 'No' campaign against the Islamic Republic gains momentum, a master's student from Amir Kabir University in Tehran announced his expulsion due to 'student activism.' Alireza Baradaran Shirka, a master's student in aerospace engineering at Amir Kabir University, reported his expulsion on Twitter, stating that the disciplinary committee cited his political activities in previous years and participation in university protests during the Mahsa movement as the reasons for his expulsion. He added, 'After several months of back-and-forth and promises from university officials regarding resolving my case or transferring to another university, my expulsion was finalized last week, and I was barred from entering the university and using welfare facilities such as the cafeteria and dormitory.' This student activist further noted, 'University officials, who lack the courage to announce my expulsion on the grounds of political activity, have unlawfully obstructed my graduation process and delayed my registration for the master's program, using academic excuses.' Alireza Baradaran Shirka concluded, 'University officials think they can silence us through repression, detention, expulsion, and suspension. They are unaware that the wound opened in September still bleeds, and we stand united for freedom, having nothing to say to you except one word: No.' In late June, students from at least 17 higher education institutions in Iran issued separate statements supporting protesting students at Tehran University of Art and warned Islamic Republic officials about the consequences of creating a military atmosphere in educational institutions. In this context, the hashtag 'No' became widespread on social media. Recently, students from Tehran University of Art described the violent treatment of students and the mandatory hijab policy as a 'preemptively failed' policy and advised government officials to learn from 'previous failed experiences,' reminding them that 'students have united and will not remain silent.' On Sunday, June 18, students from Tehran University of Art issued a statement to government officials, stating, 'There is a sea of blood between us and you,' and 'we have nothing to say to you except one word: No!' The support for the resistance of students from Tehran University of Art has spread to other universities in Iran, with users welcoming the statement from Tehran University of Art students: 'We have nothing to say to them except 'No.' Students supported the call from students at Tehran University of Art and requested a nationwide boycott of exams. Protests from students at Tehran University of Art included responses to the treatment of protesters, physical confrontations, and detentions. Reports of severe repression and detention of students and professors at Tehran University of Art who protested against the mandatory hijab have surfaced, with narratives from various sources highlighting the ongoing support for the protests at Tehran University of Art, emphasizing 'One Iran No,' and that this generation will not turn a blind eye to 'a sea of blood.' The mandatory hijab policy at Tehran University of Art has led to the detention of 'a large number' of protesting students, and students from Tehran University have expressed solidarity with the protesting students at Tehran University of Art.