Statements from Several Professional and Cultural Organizations in Iran: Ongoing Protests are an Extension of the 2021 Uprising

As nationwide protests and strikes continue in Iran, several professional, civil, and cultural organizations have issued statements supporting these protests, considering them a continuation of the 2021 uprising. These organizations - including the Retirees' Union, the Electrical and Metal Association of Kermanshah, Don't Execute, Justice Seekers, the Council for Organizing Protests of Contract Oil Workers, the Council for Organizing Protests of Informal Oil Workers, the Coordination Council of Nurses' Protests, and the Voice of Iranian Women - emphasized that leadership is unnecessary for these protests, which aim to build a society where 'a plundering minority does not decide the fate of the people.' The signatories added that the resolute continuation of protests, the expansion of strikes, vigilance, and unity will guarantee the advancement of demands and the realization of the suppressed wishes of the people. They stated that the chosen path will continue with strength and, through unity and solidarity, will end 'slavery, poverty, humiliation, and inequality.' Meanwhile, the Coordination Council of Cultural Teachers' Organizations announced on their Telegram channel that on the eighth day of the nationwide protests, the streets of Iran witnessed a significant presence of teenagers who are still students, but whose names appear on the lists of detainees and the deceased. This organization called the suppression of students 'a crime against society and the future of the country' and reported that in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, 81 teenagers were detained, with 70 of them transferred to the Yasuj rehabilitation center. Additionally, various teachers' associations from Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Bushehr, Harsin, and activists from Gilan province and Islamabad-e Gharb issued separate statements supporting the protests and calling for an end to detentions and the release of detainees. In response, the Iranian Writers' Association stated that the people, exhausted from 47 years of corruption and systematic discrimination, have once again taken to the streets to voice their protests despite bloody crackdowns. The statement noted that the protesters, in addition to expressing their grievances, also addressed the perpetrators of this situation and the arms of repression, asserting that 'the agents of corruption, crime, and inequality are all born and nurtured by the regime.' The Iranian Writers' Association described the deep class divide, the spread of poverty, and the difficult living conditions as undeniable realities and, citing the first clause of their charter, which states 'freedom of expression without any restriction or exception for all,' supported the people's right to protest. They also called on free-thinking writers, artists, and aligned organizations worldwide to amplify their support for the people of Iran and not allow the Islamic Republic to fill prisons and graves with protesters once again. Furthermore, 17 political and civil activists issued a joint statement expressing their support for the nationwide protests in Iran, deeming the Islamic Republic regime 'illegitimate' and 'destined to fall.' Among the signatories are Narges Mohammadi, Sedigheh Vasmaghi, Mohammad Rasoulof, Jafar Panahi, and Mostafa Tajzadeh. These activists addressed the security forces, warning them to stop suppressing the protesters and prioritize the protection of citizens' lives. The issuance of these statements continues as officials of the Islamic Republic have taken a hardline stance. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, threatened on the ninth day of protests that there would be no leniency towards detained protesters, emphasizing that if leniency had been shown to some individuals in the past, this time 'there will be no leniency.' Earlier, Ahmadreza Radan, the commander of the police, announced that targeted arrests of individuals who, according to him, incite people through social media and street gatherings had begun days ago. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, stated that if the Islamic Republic 'starts killing people like before, I think the United States will hit them hard.' The Islamic Republic has previously carried out mass killings of dissenting citizens during past protests. However, it now faces a very serious threat from the President of the United States. On Monday, Trump, while speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, said that Iranian officials 'have many problems. They have very high inflation. Their economy is collapsing. Their economy is not good. I know the people are very dissatisfied, but remember that every time there is a riot or a group, small or large, forms, [Iranian officials] start shooting. They kill people. I have seen this for years. There is widespread dissatisfaction. 100,000, 200,000 people gather, and suddenly some start getting shot. That crowd quickly disperses. I have seen this situation for years. [Iranian officials] are ruthless people.' Trump also shared an article on his Truth Social account stating, 'Obama did not support the freedom-seeking protesters in Iran two decades ago, but Trump corrected this mistake.' He added, 'We are on full alert and ready to act.'