Families of the Victims Demand Justice on the Fourth Anniversary of the Protests: November Continues

On the fourth anniversary of the November 2019 protests and amid pressure from security agencies to prevent memorial ceremonies for the victims of these protests, several families of the victims issued a joint statement reminding the deaths of hundreds of protesters at the hands of Iranian government forces and emphasized that 'November' continues. The survivors of the deceased protesters wrote: 'Our loved ones embarked on a path that had previously been stained with the blood of the November children. They embarked on a path where fear lost its meaning, and to achieve life, they had to pass through death. A path that was championed by Mohsen Mohammadpour and Pouya Bakhtiari, and thousands sacrificed their precious lives for it. A path where November was not just about gasoline, nor September just about hijab. A path that ends in freedom and the overthrow of tyranny.' The families of the victims continued by mentioning the identities and times of their loved ones' deaths 'by the Islamic Republic,' addressing the Iranian government, 'You know yourselves that you were destroyed by November, and this November continues.' Families such as those of Javad Heydari, Majid Kazemi, Erfan Khazaei, Minou Majidi, and Fereydoun Mahmoudi are among those who shared this text on social media. Fatemeh Heydari, sister of Javad Heydari, who died in the nationwide protests of 2022 following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in the custody of the morality police, published this text on her X (formerly Twitter) page. Several grieving families of November victims also gathered at the graves of the deceased despite pressure and threats from security agencies. Pouya Bakhtiari's uncle and sister announced their presence at the grave of this young victim of the November 2019 protests. Mehrdad Bakhtiari, Pouya's uncle, wrote to the officials of the Islamic Republic: 'You said not to hold memorial ceremonies; we went and held it; know your limits.' Manouchehr Bakhtiari and Nahid Shirpich, Pouya Bakhtiari's parents, are currently in prison facing charges such as 'collusion and conspiracy against the regime' and 'propaganda against the regime.' Pouya Bakhtiari was one of the victims of the nationwide protests of November 2019, who died from a direct gunshot wound to the head by Islamic Republic agents. The security agencies of the Islamic Republic have always tried to silence the families of the victims through pressure, threats, summons, and arrests. Sakineh Ahmadi, mother of Ebrahim Ketabdar, another victim of the November 2019 protests, also published a photo on her Instagram stating: 'The fourth anniversary of my son was held under the severe atmosphere of security forces.' Based on published images, the sister of Behrouz Asgarpour, another victim of November 2019, also visited her brother's grave. Gohar Eshghi, mother of Sattar Beheshti, also sent a message expressing sympathy with the families of the November 2019 victims and praised the steadfastness of Pouya Bakhtiari's family, sending greetings to those who are still in prison. The family of Vahid Damour, another victim of November 2019, also commemorated the fourth anniversary of this protester's death in a message. Amnesty International and the Association of Families of Victims of Flight PS752 also expressed solidarity with the families of the victims of the November protests in separate statements and emphasized the prosecution of those responsible for the 'atrocities of November.' The November 2019 protests began following a sudden increase in gasoline prices and quickly turned into widespread protests against the Islamic Republic government. The Iranian government simultaneously cut off the internet and violently suppressed the protesters, killing and injuring hundreds and arresting thousands more. Reuters reported that the number of protesters killed during the government's crackdown was 1,500. Some members of the 'Association of Families of November Victims,' including the brother of Borhan Mansournia, emphasized in an interview with Voice of America that the number of deaths in the November 2019 nationwide protests is 'much, much higher than 1,500.' Islamic Republic officials have stated that the number of deaths in November 2019 was around 200.