Fire Festival protests – 18
Cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, Najaf Abad, Karaj and Shahr-e Kord witness Fire Festival and chants of “Down with Khamenei”
NCRI – According to the Social Headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) inside the country, the uprising of the Fire Festival is increasingly becoming widespread despite the massive suppressive presence of the Iranian regime and a flurry of intimidations by various ranks of regime officials.
In Isfahan, enraged people attacked a number of buildings belonging to the State Security Forces (SSF) with stones. They set up bonfires to force suppressive forces to retreat. At 20:00 local time, youths set up bonfires in Isfahan’s Arghavanieh region and repeatedly lit firecrackers.
At about 19:30 local time, in Najaf Abad, more than 500 people chanted “death to Khamenei” and “death to dictator,” referring to the regime’s Supreme Leader, and clashed with SSF forces. They also countered the forces’ tear gas with lighting more firecrackers. Members of the paramilitary Bassij and the mullahs’ intelligence agents were stationed at various junctures, putting to effect an undeclared martial law. However, they have not been able to curb protests.
At 19:45 local time, in Shiraz, hundreds of people formed gatherings to chant anti-regime slogans, burning pictures of Khamenei in Molla Sadra region. Sounds of firecrackers exploding can be heard throughout the city.
In Gachsaran, hundreds celebrated Fire Festival and set up bonfires in the regions of Serahi, Taleqani, Fanni Herfei, and Golzar-e Shohada
At 20:00 local time, sounds of firecrackers in Karaj’s Shahriar district were accompanied by chants of “Down with Khamenei” and “death to dictator.” People beat up a number of Bassij forces and set fire to their motorbikes.
In Shahr-e Kord, a large number of youths gathered chanting “death to dictator” and jumping over bonfires. Many people also joined their protests.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
March 16, 2010
