Iranian students defy clampdown, heightened security on Student Day (16 Azar Synopsis)
Cross-posted from Students4Iran.org
On December 7, 2010 Iranian students defied a security clampdown and marked 16 Azar (Iran Student Day) to hold protests. Video footage trickled out of Iran showing gatherings chanting and singing protest songs across university campuses in several cities, including Tehran, Ghazvin, Tabriz, Hamedan, and Zahedan.
DaneshjooNews.com has posted several pictures from events across Iran’s universities. The news source reported that during the rally in front of Amir Kabir University, students displayed photos of imprisoned student activist, Majid Tavakoli, who was arrested following Student’s Day in 2009.
DaneshjooNews.com also reported that at Azad University in Ghazvin today there were over 1000 students gathered and chanting despite the presence of security forces. DaneshjooNews.com also posted several videos of the gatherings, some of which can be found below. Keep updated on student news coming out of Iran by visiting: http://www.daneshjoonews.com
Inside Iran: More YouTube Videos from 16 Azar
- Large Crowds Chanting at Tehran University (Dec 6)
- Students at Polytechnic University Reported to Clash with Basij
- Students at Amir Kabir University Sing Student Protest Song
- Students at Rally at Azad University in Ghazvin
CNN Video Report about Iranian Students, International Community Protesting Online for 16 Azar – 7 December 2010
Yesterday, CNN did a video report covering the online actions taken around the world to mark support and solidarity with Iran’s students. Your efforts at online activism, whether it be sending e-letters, mailing postcards, or even just hitting “Like,” are highlighted alongside United4Iran.org and Students4Iran.org. Thanks so much to the international community for stepping up, taking action, and proving that online advocacy does have an impact! (Coverage begins at 0:36).
Additional Coverage
- BBC News – Iranians defy clampdown for Student Day protests: http://bbc.in/igQ7S2
- LA Times – Despite crackdown, students stage protests nationwide: http://lat.ms/eq3H9D
- Human Rights Watch – Iran Escalating Repression of University Students: http://bit.ly/eADcar
It’s not too late to get involved!
- Send e-letters to UN officials, IRI authorities, and Foreign Ministers worldwide urging them to support Iran’s students!
- Mail postcards to IRI embassies, UN officials, and more highlighting the demands of Iran’s students!
Background
Since 1953, Iranian students have annually commemorated Iran’s National Student Day (16 Azar / December 7) with rallies and demonstrations to demand academic freedoms and basic rights. 16 Azar marks the day three students were killed when police forces opened fire on the students of University of Tehran demonstrating Nixon’s visit to Iran.
Following the disputed 2009 elections especially, revitalized students activists again engaged in demanding basic rights and academic freedoms by rallying together. As a result of this increased activity, the number of students detained and imprisoned has greatly increased. 16 Azar remains a symbol of the struggle of Iranian students in their quest for basic academic freedoms and human rights.
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16 Azar – Videos & Gallery
Tonight is #16Azar – Let’s work together to collect and spread the pics & vids coming out of Iran. E-mail vid links to: share@united4iran.org || Join our public photo pool on Fickr to share photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1308806@N23/ Do you have a youtube video to share? E-mail the link to share@united4iran.org Do you have a picture to [...]
