Wave of Support for Art University Protests; 'One Iran No,' This Generation Does Not Turn a Blind Eye to 'Sea of Blood'

Students from at least 17 higher education institutions in Iran have issued separate statements supporting the protesting students of Tehran's Art University and warned the Islamic Republic officials about the consequences of creating a military-like environment in educational centers. In this context, the hashtag 'No' has gained traction on social media. These statements have been published by groups of students from Tehran, Beheshti, Allameh, Science and Industry, Al-Zahra, several universities in Zanjan, Azad Quds City, Farabi, Sahand Tabriz, Isfahan, Isfahan Art, Rehabilitation Sciences, Kharazmi, Technical and Vocational Education of the Islamic Revolution, Art and Architecture of Pars, Sura, and Ferdowsi Mashhad in support of the protesting students of Tehran's Art University. In a statement from the Art University students released on Sunday, June 18, they addressed government officials, saying, 'There is a sea of blood between us and you' and 'We have nothing to say to you, except one word: No!' In the statement from the Fine Arts students at Tehran University, criticizing the 'radical and reckless actions of the security,' it is stated, 'Every blow to the body of art students and other student groups will, on a larger scale, harm the body of society, which will lead to direct anger and reaction.' These students have deemed the violent treatment of students and the mandatory hijab policy as a 'preemptively failed' policy and have urged officials to remember 'previous failed experiences' and make them a 'mirror of admonition,' understanding that 'students have joined hands' and will not remain silent. In another statement from a group of students at Kharazmi University, emphasizing the slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom,' it is stated, 'The protest of the Art University students against incorrect structures is nothing but the beautiful art of courage' and 'struggle against oppression, seeking justice, and striving for freedom.' These students have emphasized that they will stand 'beside the people and their cries for justice and accountability' and 'ultimately, will hold the oppressor accountable in the name of justice.' Continuing this wave of supportive statements, students from Sahand Tabriz University described the protests of the Art University students as 'artistic resistance against the government of darkness and annihilation,' which has caused 'fear and terror' in the Islamic Republic. They also emphasized that 'courage and bravery' are 'replicable.' A group of students from Farabi College at Tehran University also stated that 'the era of student compliance against repression is over' and 'students can no longer be submissive beings.' They stressed that 'intimidation, suspensions, exiles, arrests, and killings' cannot weaken 'the unity and resistance of students' and warned that if 'even a scratch falls on the body of art students,' the 'overflowing anger and fury' of students across Iran will 'pour into the streets.' The statement from the Science and Industry University students regarded the protests of the Art University students and their resistance against government forces as indicative of 'the power and courage of these talented artists' who 'stood up to claim their rights against fully armed mercenaries.' In the statement from the students of the Technical and Vocational Education of the Islamic Revolution, it is emphasized that 'the voice of dissent from students cannot be silenced' and they 'will not be deterred from supporting their friends' despite expulsions and academic deprivations. In the statement from the students of Isfahan University, it is noted that 'universities across Iran have become playgrounds for repressive forces,' addressing government officials, 'As long as you stand against the rightful demands not only of students but of all people, we will stand fully against you.' The students of Isfahan Art University also emphasized in a separate statement that students 'despite widespread and overwhelming repression,' 'will push back against the government of oppressors.' In the statement from the Rehabilitation Sciences University students, it was emphasized that they stand 'beside' the Art University students and 'against the oppression of the tyrant of the time.' Some students from the Art and Architecture of Pars University also deemed the current situation in universities as 'an assault on the human rights' of students, which 'awakens the spirit of resistance' in 'every free human being' against repression. These statements were released following the announcement of mandatory hijab for girls by the security and university officials, which escalated protests among the Art University students on Wednesday, June 14, when security forces beat students who were sitting in protest at the 'National Garden' campus of the university. As student protests continued, security officials and special forces stormed the entrance of the National Garden campus on Saturday, June 17, using violence to arrest at least 10 students and take them to an unknown location. In addition to widespread support from students, civil activists, artists, and social media users have also backed the Art University students, and the hashtag 'No' has gone viral on Twitter. Mehdi Yarahee, a protesting singer, described the current student protests as a continuation of the nationwide protests that began last September, tweeting: 'The wound that opened in September still bleeds. And we stand.' Arash Hampei, a political activist, welcomed the students' 'No' to government officials, emphasizing: 'One Iran No!' Ashkan Khatibi, a protesting actor, tweeted: 'This 'No' from the Art University students heralds a generation of Iranian artists who do not turn a blind eye to the voice of the oppressed and do not remain silent in the face of the flowing sea of blood.' He described these students as a generation of artists who 'shout their shared pain with the people of the streets. Fearlessly and without seeking comfort,' and emphasized: 'This generation embodies the idea that 'other than art, which is the crown of creation, no status is eternally significant.' Mohammad Javad Akbarin, a journalist, also wrote: 'I am reading the tweets of the hashtag No. Each one is more brilliant and correct than the last! 'No' is the clearest language for dialogue with the uncomprehending tyranny. This is the last page of the book, and it is worth reading!' Barbad Golshiri, a writer and member of the 'Art, Culture, Action' association, also shared the position of this association, writing: 'In unison with you, we say 'No!' We too stand on this side of the 'sea of blood.' Mojtaba Hashemi, a student activist, told VOA that the conditions in universities over the past eight months have been 'unprecedented' and that the government has 'launched a heavy attack on the university institution,' turning Iranian universities into 'military barracks.' He attributed the government's repression to its desperation in controlling the universities and emphasized that universities are now more united than during the protests of 2009, and the Islamic Republic has been unable to suppress student protests with all its methods.