On Tuesday, December 28, 2021, large groups of retired teachers in 18 provinces across the country gathered in protest against the unbearable living conditions, the oppressive policies of the clerical regime, and the deceptive “ranking” bill approved by the regime’s parliament. Acting on a previous call, retired teachers gathered outside the parliament in Tehran and other cities opposite the pension fund, including in Sanandaj, Mashhad and 18 other major cities.
Demonstrators chanted: “Retirees, stand up to end discrimination,” “We heard many promises, we did not see justice,” “Shame on Qalibaf (the Parliament Speaker), let go of the parliament,” “Teachers demand your rights,” “Imprisoned teachers must be freed,” “Teacher, worker, let’s unite. ”
By sending its agents in front of the parliament and chanting diversionary slogans in support of the regime, the mullahs desperately tried to overshadow the retiree’s protest. The retired teachers responded by chanting, “The government betrays (the teachers), and the parliament supports it.” Teachers have been continuing their protests since then in over 116 cities. On Thursday January 13th, more protests were held by teachers across Iran. By dispatching plainclothes agents and female members of the state security force (SSF), the regime tried to prevent teachers from holding their gatherings and prevent others from joining them. By dispatching plainclothes agents and female members of the state security force (SSF), the regime tried to prevent teachers from holding their gathering and prevent others from joining them.
In the city of Ahvaz, the SSF attacked the teachers and beat them up. The repressive forces arrested four teachers in Mashhad, six in Ahvaz, three in Bushehr, and several others in Tehran and Shiraz. Demonstrators have been chanting slogans such as: “Imprisoned teachers must be released.