Protesters Gather Against Tehran Municipality's Actions; Construction Now Reaches 'Laleh Park'

Reports from several media outlets in Iran indicate that a number of Tehran residents gathered at Laleh Park to protest the cutting down of trees in part of the area and construction by the Tehran Municipality on Thursday, May 2. The website 'Khabar Online' wrote: 'The Zakhani team intends to begin construction and the destruction of green spaces that will lead to the cutting down of several trees in Laleh Park' and added: 'For a month now, fences have been installed in Laleh Park, next to the western side of the fire station and across from Poursina Street. In the last two or three days, containers have also been set up in the area, and everything is ready to begin tree removal operations in Laleh Park.' The 'Sharq' newspaper's website also reported on Friday, May 3, that according to statements from witnesses and residents around Laleh Park, with the establishment of containers around the park's perimeter, it has been speculated that construction is planned in this area and trees will be cut down. Residents of the area have reported that the park manager and the municipality have stated that a cultural center is to be built in this part of the park, and trees will also be cut down. Sharq wrote that previously, the news channel 'Iran Ecosystem Watch' had reported that a large part of Laleh Park, filled with ancient trees, has recently been fenced off, and it has been said that a 'building from the municipality' is to be constructed there. Following that, the website 'Tejarat News' wrote: 'Given the encroachments and manipulations occurring in other parks, including Andisheh Park and Qeytarieh Park, and previously with the removal of trees and construction in this park, there is a serious danger.' Earlier news regarding construction in Qeytarieh Park, including the construction of a mosque, had led to many protests, and in response to the intensified criticisms, the mayor of Tehran stated: 'Not only in Qeytarieh Park but in all parks in the capital, we will build mosques.' Alireza Zakhani has considered the construction of mosques in city parks as one of the fundamental programs of the Tehran Municipality. According to statistics, Tehran has about 2,200 parks, with an area of approximately 5,000 hectares, bringing the per capita urban green space in the capital to 16.33 square meters. The website of the 'Payam Ma' newspaper also noted on April 10 that following the fencing in Qeytarieh Park, other iron fences have been erected in Andisheh Park in Region 7 of Tehran. The seizure and destruction of parks in Tehran is not only carried out by the municipality but also by security and military institutions and even organizations under the leadership of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Previously, in this regard, Nasser Amani, a member of the Tehran City Council, had reported on the fencing and cutting down of 60 trees in 'Aqaqia Park' in the Davoodieh neighborhood by one of the groups affiliated with the so-called 'Executive Headquarters of Imam's Command', which is managed under Ali Khamenei, and stated that this action was taken under the pretext of ownership of part of this park. Naming the mosque in Qeytarieh Park; confirmation of the construction of the 'Kowsar' mosque despite opposition. On the line: the construction of more mosques during a period of absolute stagnation of existing mosques in the country. Despite widespread citizen protests, the mayor of Tehran insists on building a mosque in Qeytarieh Park. The Sepah newspaper reported, citing the son-in-law of Mohtashami-Pour, on the impact of building a mosque in Qeytarieh Park on women's 'immodesty'. Continuing criticisms with the construction of a mosque in Qeytarieh Park; the Tehran Municipality ignores opponents.