NCRI, September 29 - Despite brutal suppression of the Iranian people by State Security Forces and the implementation of an assortment of repressive plans, Iranian cities have been the scene of a dramatic rise in demonstrations, protests and strikes by various sectors of Iranian society in the summer. These developments demonstrate before anything else the Iranian people's utmost hatred of the mullahs' anti-human regime and their resolve to overthrow the ruling theocracy and establish democracy in Iran.

During this period, the Iranian Resistance has recorded 851 strikes, demonstrations, sit-ins and protests in Tehran, Isfahan, Mashad, Karaj, Qazvin, Pakdasht, Qom, Saveh, Arak, Kashan, Yazd, Kerman, Shiraz, Jahrom, Genaveh, Ahwaz, Abadan, Shahr-e Kord, Behbahan, Dizful, Doroud, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Saqqez, Ilam, Sanandaj, Mahabad, Boukan, Sardasht, Oshnavieh, Divandareh, Naqadeh, Baneh, Piranshahr, Javanroud, Ravansar, Kamyaran, Boroujerd, Khorramabad, Gorgan, Neyshabour, Sabzevar, Ghorveh, Tabriz, Ardebil, Jolfa, Salmas, Rasht, Babol, Behshahr and Zahedan.

The figures show a dramatic rise in popular uprisings and protests. The figure for all of 2004 was 1,500 demonstrations, strikes, clashes and protests.

In order to prevent the eruption of uprisings, the clerical regime has resorted to a variety of repressive schemes, including the "Zafar" plan, "the Campaign to Combat Trouble-makers" and "Exponential Increase in National Security." It also formed various police units, including Women's Police. It has arrested tens of thousands of young people and hanged or sentenced to death at least 65 persons in the first 100 days since Ahmadinejad was elected.

Some 408 of these protests were held by workers, who staged strikes, sit-ins and demonstrations against overdue salaries and bonuses, low wages, difficult working conditions, lack of health insurance and widespread layoffs, displaying their anger and hatred toward the clerical regime's repressive and anti-labor policies. Some of these protests, including the one by workers in Iran Electric factory in the northern city of Rasht, lasted for more than 10 days. On July 16, there were nationwide strikes by workers.

During this period, 281 strikes, demonstrations and protest gatherings were organized by the families of political prisoners, teachers, academics, students, farmers, drivers, fishermen, journalists, bakers, vegetable growers, nurses, public employees, contractors and retirees. A number of agents were killed in the course of 24 armed clashes between young people and the suppressive forces.

The ten-day uprising by the people of Mahabad and other cities in Kurdistan Province was suppressed brutally and left dozens of demonstrators, including young people, dead or wounded. Hundreds more were arrested, with many still in detention.

Despite the closure of most universities in summer, thousands of students held demonstrations and protests in the capital and other cities. A large number of students have been arrested and continue to remain in prison.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
September 29, 2005