With the shutting down of the Internet and clamping of freedom, the people of Zahedan stomped the streets of the city.
On July 7, 2023, the people in Zahedan, on the fortieth Friday of their protests, chanted slogans against the dictatorship of Khamenei. A placard was written, saying: “Down with Khamenei.”
The current long-time Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is ruling Iran for more than three decades, has issued decrees, and made final decisions on the economy, education, environment, foreign policy, national planning, and almost everything else in the country.
While the Iranian Regime of Khamenei claims this is an attempt by the West to topple their government, the Western world asserts the present regime brought about inhumane situations with human rights violations with 1,500 deaths. The current protests have been widespread and have involved people from various social classes, universities, schools, and different cities.
In the first six months of 2023, at least 358 people including 6 women and 9 foreign nationals were executed by the Islamic Republic regime and 77 of the people who were executed were Kurds and 75 were Baloch.
Free Iran Summit 2023
On July 1, 2023, there was a gathering of distinguished international leaders and lawmakers at the Headquarters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in Auvers-sur-Oise, as well as a large gathering of Iranians and supporters in Paris. This event, known as the Iran World Summit and the Free Iran Rally 2023, aims to demonstrate support for the NCRI’s strategic plan for regime change in Iran and the establishment of freedom and democracy in the country.
During the summit and rally, prominent speakers will address various topics, including the ongoing uprising in Iran, the threats posed by the current regime, the viable alternative to the existing government, and the importance of adopting the right policies to ensure a prosperous future for Iran.
These events provide a platform for international leaders, lawmakers, and Iranians to come together and express their solidarity with the goals and aspirations of the NCRI and its vision for a democratic Iran.
Voices Calling For Freedom from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s Rule
Catt, an advocate for liberty and freedom wrote on Twitter, “On this momentous 40th Friday, the courageous people of #Zahedan once again fearlessly took to the streets. Just as in previous Fridays, their voices echo resoundingly, unyielding in the face of intimidation.”
On this momentous 40th Friday, the courageous people of #Zahedan once again fearlessly took to the streets. Just as in previous Fridays, their voices echo resoundingly, unyielding in the face of intimidation.#IranRevoIution #ToomajSalehi #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/dh3YA1fSiG
— Catt (@Catjaan1) July 7, 2023
Iran – Zahedan A video of people’s demonstrations in Zahedan They targeted the repressive Revolutionary Guards with their slogans. #Iran #IranRevolution #BlacklistIRGC
Shabnam Madadzadeh writes: Today June 7, 2023, the people in #Zahedan, on the fortieth Friday of their protests, chanted slogans against the dictatorship of Khamenei. A placard was written, saying: “Down with Khamenei.”
Today June 7, 2023, the people in #Zahedan, on the fortieth Friday of their protests, chanted slogans against the dictatorship of Khamenei. A placard was written, saying: "Down with Khamenei."#FreeIran2023 #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/xaB6aps8hL
— shabnam madadzadeh (@ShMadadzadeh) July 7, 2023
“The Brazilian women’s football team landing in Australia for the 2023 women’s world cup made a statement by having the pictures of #MahsaAmini and Amir Nasr Azadani on their plane.”
The Brazilian women's football team landing in Australia for 2023 women's world cup made a statement by having the pictures of #MahsaAmini and Amir Nasr Azadani on their plane.#IranRevoIution pic.twitter.com/NG3yoooigB
— IranRevolutionReport (@IranRevReport) July 5, 2023
A supporter of the protestors wrote: “The world reveres your unwavering bravery in the face of a tyrannical regime. #IranRevoIution #MahsaAmini #سالگرد_مهسا
The world reveres your unwavering bravery in the face of a tyrannical regime. #IranRevoIution #MahsaAmini #سالگرد_مهسا pic.twitter.com/cLu8diwrQ1
— اسکلت! (@De__Skeleton) July 6, 2023
The Iranian Revolution of 2022
There has been civil unrest and protests ongoing in Iran since September 2022. The protests were triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody, following her arrest for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory hijab law. Eyewitnesses claimed that Amini had been severely beaten by the Guidance Patrol officers, although Iranian authorities denied these allegations.
The protests began in Amini’s hometown of Saqqez and quickly spread to other cities in Iranian Kurdistan and throughout the country. The government responded to the protests by imposing internet blackouts, restricting social media usage, and using tear gas and gunfire against the demonstrators.
While the death toll from these protests has not reached the levels seen during the 2019 demonstrations, which resulted in over 1,500 deaths, the current protests have been widespread and have involved people from various social classes, universities, schools, and different cities.
Many view these protests as the most significant challenge to the Iranian government since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. As of April 4, 2023, at least 537 people, including 68 minors, had been killed, and thousands had been arrested.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed the protests as “riots” and described them as a “hybrid war” instigated by foreign states and dissidents abroad. Notably, women, including schoolchildren, have played a prominent role in the demonstrations. The protests have not only called for increased rights for women but also for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, distinguishing them from previous protest movements in Iran that focused on election results or economic grievances.
The government’s response to the protests has faced widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally due to the high number of casualties, arrests, and the restriction of internet access and social media usage.