Iran: Calls for participation in large demonstrations and authorities are preparing
Iran has deployed large numbers of security forces and Basij militia in several cities, especially Kurdish cities, following widespread calls on social media to take to the streets today in new protests under the slogan “The beginning of the end”.
Despite restrictions on social media and internet shutdowns, activists were able to pass messages on several platforms, calling on Iranians to take to the streets in new protests and defy the bloody crackdown, Iran International reported.
The unrest continued despite what Amnesty International said was a “relentless and brutal crackdown”, including an “all-out attack on child protesters”; At least 23 minors were killed.
Despite cutting off communications with internet services and platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, activists have issued an online call for mass protests today under the slogan “The beginning of the end”, calling on people across Iran to gather in places where security forces are not present and to shout “Death to the dictator”.
“We should be present in the squares, because the best VPN connection these days is the street”, activists said, referring to private virtual networks used to circumvent Internet restrictions.
In a move rarely seen, Tehran police announced yesterday that they will investigate the behavior of one of its officers after reports of him harassing a female protester during an attempt to arrest her on the sidelines of protests following the death of young Mahsa Amini.
A video showed at least two riot police officers arresting a woman and transporting her on one of more than 10 police motorcycles at the scene.
The video shows one of the officers touching the back of the young woman as he tries to put her on the motorcycle. Shortly after she fell to the ground, the protester was able to stand again and was allowed to leave the area.
In an open letter published on its front page, the reformist newspaper Etemad called on Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani to stop carrying out arrests “under reasons that may sometimes be wrong”.
It is worth mentioning that the young Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, 22, died last September 16, 3 days after she was arrested by the moral police in Tehran for not adhering to the strict rules of dress. Her death led to a wave of protests in Iran and solidarity marches abroad
