Retirees Protest in Several Cities in Iran; 'Raisi, Incompetent, Go Back to Your Seminary'

A number of retirees from social security and government sectors gathered in at least five cities in Iran: Tehran, Ahvaz, Kermanshah, Ardabil, and Yazd. According to reports, retirees in Tehran protested in front of the Ministry of Labor on Tuesday, November 21, demanding attention to their professional and livelihood demands. Protesters in Ahvaz also gathered in front of the provincial governor's office, simultaneously voicing their livelihood and professional demands while calling for the release of imprisoned teachers. They held placards with demands such as 'Increase pensions according to inflation rates' and 'Living above the poverty line,' chanting: 'Gathering, protesting, is our legitimate right.' The protesters also shouted slogans against Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the thirteenth government of the Islamic Republic, including 'Raisi, incompetent, go back to your seminary.' Retirees in Kermanshah also gathered in front of the city's Department of Cooperatives, Labor, and Welfare, demanding the release of imprisoned teachers. They also chanted slogans against the Islamic Consultative Assembly and Raisi's government. Protests by various professions and retirees are held almost daily across the country, raising professional and livelihood demands. Despite numerous and repeated protests by retirees, workers, and employees of various institutions, officials of the Islamic Republic continue to refrain from addressing their demands.