Curent events in Iran
Worker-communist Party of Iran - 17.12.2002 19:13
Summary of Worker-communist Party of Iran Press Releases No. 7
On students protest and teacher's stike in Iran and....
13 December 2002, 4,000 teachers protest in Tehran: Despite the Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Interior’s refusal to allow a teachers demonstration, 4,000 teachers gathered in central Tehran, north of Tehran University. Although the regime's security forces and plain-clothed thugs occupied many of the streets, numerous teachers' groups took part in the protest. Many attempts were made to disperse the protesting teachers but to no avail. The teachers' slogans included: 'Teachers, Unity, Unity!', 'Teachers are tired, enough discrimination', 'Free Political Prisoners', 'Teachers, Strike, Strike', 'Students, Teachers, Unity'. The demonstration moved towards the University and was attacked by the Islamic regime's security forces; various clashed were reported. The WPI has called for the support of the teacher’s demonstration and demands.
11 December 2002, Teachers prepare for protest: The General Secretary of the Teachers' Union was arrested. The WPI has called for the release of the union leader and insisted on the teachers' demands being met. Demands include: increase in pay, abolition of extra compulsory two hours a day work imposed during the Iran-Iraq war, housing subsidies, health provisions and the right to association, assembly and protest and freedom of _expression. The WPI has called for the support of the protesting teachers.
8 December 2002, Tens of protesters still in prison: Tens of protesters arrested during the student demonstration inside and outside Tehran University are still in prison. The WPI has called for their release and the release of all political prisoners.
8 December 2002, WPI’s 11th anniversary celebrated: The WPI's 11th anniversary was celebrated in many cities in Iran and abroad. (See previous Summary for report on celebrations in Iranian cities). Celebrations took place in many cities in Europe and North America including Germany, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Finland and Turkey. In all the ceremonies, a screening of Mansoor Hekmat's last speech entitled: 'Can communism be victorious in Iran?' was shown. Thousands of people took part in the various celebrations.
7 December 2002, Thousands gathered in front of Tehran University in support of demonstrating students: Slogans of demonstrators included: 'Students, Students, You have our Support!', 'Free political Prisoners!', 'One day Taliban will Depart Iran!' and so on. Hundreds of buses were lined up to transport those arrested. The streets of Tehran and all phone booths around the university were occupied so as to prevent the news of the demonstration from being reported on. There have been incidents and clashes between the Islamic regime's security forces and the plain-clothed Islamic thugs on the one hand and the people on the other.
7 December 2002: More than two hundred people joined a demonstration called by the WPI-Danish Committee and the International Committee against Stoning in opposition to executions and in support of the protests in Iran. Nahid Riyazi from the WPI and the International Committee against Stoning, Maryam Taheri from the WPI Young Communists' Organisation, Palineh Frome MEP, People’s Socialist Party, Soan Sonago, MP in Danish Parliament spoke at the rally in front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The news of the demonstration and protest received full coverage in the Danish National TV and print media. Nahid Riyazi has written to the Danish Prime Minster demanding a breaking of ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
7 December 2002, 700 workers protest in Tehran: Workers employed by various factories owned by the Mostazafeen Foundation demonstrated in front of the head office of the Department of Employment in protest against unpaid wages and working conditions. The regime's security forces attacked the demonstrating workers who were being supported by passersby. In the incident, demonstrators smashed the windows of the head office. In recent months, the protest and demonstration for the payment of unpaid wages has escalated in Iran.
Friday 13 December 2002, Thousands demonstrated in London in support of the Firefighters’ demand for increased pay: Around 15-20 thousand firefighters and their supporters joined the march in central London. WPI - UK Committee took part in the demonstration with a banner: 'We still need to change the World.' Thousands of WPI flyers with WPI's solidarity message to the firefighters were distributed during the demonstration.
 E-Mail: wpi.international.office@ukonline.co.uk  Website: http://www.wpiran.org/english
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