Protests at the Faculty of Sciences in Rasht - 2003-06-20

In response to recent public protests in the city of Rasht, students at the Faculty of Sciences gathered inside the campus this evening. Approximately 300 participants chanted slogans demanding the release of political prisoners, freedom of expression, and thought. This gathering was held in protest against the arrest of two students from this faculty during yesterday's demonstrations, which reports indicate have since been released. The protests in Rasht continued late into the night. The gathering occurred while hundreds of people gathered around the entrance of the faculty in support of the student movements. The presence of Basij forces, the Revolutionary Guard, and Hezbollah thugs was notably significant during the protests and gatherings of the past two days. It is worth mentioning that all these groups were equipped with radios, batons, and sticks. The gathering ended without conflict. Meanwhile, scattered clashes were ongoing in other parts of Rasht. In the Golasar neighborhood of Rasht, two young men were arrested, one of whom was severely injured. The slogans chanted at the Faculty of Sciences included: -- Death to the Taliban, whether in Kabul or Tehran -- Iran has become Palestine, why are people sitting idle? -- Police forces, support, support -- Cannon, tank, Basij, no longer effective -- Political students must be freed -- Freedom of thought cannot be achieved with beards and hair.