More than 45 days after a brutal January crackdown that left thousands of protesters dead, students across several Iranian universities have launched a new wave of protests. As the academic term began on Saturday, students in Tehran gathered on campus chanting anti-government slogans, despite heavy security and plainclothes officers stationed outside university gates.
“Our classrooms are empty because the graveyards are full,” said Hossein*, a 21-year-old student at the University of Tehran. “It’s for them – our friends, classmates and compatriots, who were gunned down in front of our eyes, that we decided to boycott the classes.” The protests have spread to universities in Tehran and Mashhad, with videos showing clashes between protesters and pro-regime Basij forces.
According to US-based organisation HRANA, at least 7,000 people have been confirmed killed in the January crackdown, with another 11,700 deaths under investigation. Other estimates from medics suggest the death toll is in the tens of thousands. HRANA has also recorded more than 53,000 arrests, including hundreds of students.
At Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, student Leyla* said a quiet vigil evolved into a protest as students chanted slogans. “Because nobody can tolerate this much grief,” she said. “It was supposed to be only a silent sit-in. [But] as soon as the students began to speak, everyone stood behind.” Campus videos showed Basij attacking students, throwing threats and breaking windows, with physical confrontations continuing on Sunday.
Reza*, a student in Mashhad, described collective sorrow fuelling the demonstrations. “When society is in mourning, grief and anger are felt at universities too,” he said. “We are all in mourning, and we will confront anything that tries to make the situation appear normal. Nothing is normal.” Hossein added that he expects protests to continue, stating: “These protests are against the return to normal life while our loved ones’ bodies are still warm.”
