Alliance of Iranian Students: Iranian New Year

[democratic]

http://www.daneshjooyan.org/english/communique/2004/200304a.html

March 20, 2003, marks the first day of spring. Similarly, it is the first day of the Iranian New Year 1383. The Alliance of Iranian Students recaps the past year 1382 as a year of achievements, a year of sorrow, a year of triumph, a year of blood loss, and most importantly a year gone resulting in a step closer to freedom. We look back to the past year in how it has shaped our lives, contributed to the Third Force Movement, and brought us closer to our gratifying purpose: Freedom, Human Rights, and a Secular Democracy.

July 9, 2003: Stakes were high and the fear of the Islamic regime was extreme. In a year when the possibility was collapse was great, the Islamic regime recruited forces unlike no other. July 9, 2003, marked the fourth anniversary of the student's uprising in Tehran University and the Islamic authorities bloody attack against innocent students. It placed a chapter in the history of Iran. Massive demonstrations were observed nationwide. Students, freedom-demanders and human rights activists chanted anti-regime slogans and demanded the release of all captive students and political prisoners. Islamic forces responded with brutal attacks, though fell short of suppressing the freedom-demanding movement.

October 2003: Honoring Teachers? Day, teachers and mentors united in a nationwide strike, protesting against unpaid wages and repression. Slogans were heard all throughout Iran, degrading the inhuman Islamic regime, such as: "Not Unbelievers, Not Enemies, We Are Teachers, Teachers!", "Until We Have Rights, We Will Never Rest Calmly!", "Authorities of the Nation, You and Your Wealth and Riches, Make Us the Doer of Admonition", "The Home of the Teachers Must Revive!". Students joined teachers in boycotting classes.

December 7, 2003: With the bloodshed of three innocent students killed by the Shah's militia forces, this day was honored Students? Day. The gate of Tehran University was the scene of massive demonstrations. Students and activists marched while holding banners calling for freedom and justice, as well as supporting the workers' strike. The demonstration was entitled "A Half-Century of Mobilization," as exactly 50 years ago from this date three innocent student activists were killed by the Shah's militia forces. Tens of Islamic Disciplinary Forces surrounded demonstrators with clubs and chains. Not to far from the university, where hundreds of activists demonstrated, violent clashes were seen between demonstrators and disciplinary and Bassiji forces. Once more, the Islamic regime demonstrated that through means of violence and repression they endeavor to silence the peoples call for freedom. In the aftermath, the Freedom Movement of Iran prevailed as superior to the regime's reactionary violence.

February 2004: Nationwide, polls were in place and ready for the Majles elections. In retrospective, the polls were scenes of emptiness and shadow as only a mere 30%-35% of the national population in fact participated in these fraud elections. The significance in these Majles elections was that even activists of the 2nd of Khordad movement, followers of Khatami, boycotted these elections. Accordingly presenting a corrupt and injustice system is being dissolved from within. This in effect intensifies the momentum of the Third Force Movement in aim of accomplishing its goals and ambition.

March 14, 2004: Bloody clashes erupted in the city of Fereydoun Kenar, located by the Caspian Sea in the province of Mazandaran, when Islamic Special Forces brutally attacked demonstrators. The demonstration was an aftermath of Meghdad Najafnejad's fraud re-election into the Majles. The fraud election sparked a large uprising of residents fed up with the repression and injustice. In an act of desperation to silence demonstrators, Islamic Special Forces resorted to an assault of bloody attacks against demonstrators, leaving eight demonstrators killed and a hundred arrested and injured. The violent reaction of Islamic authorities was a development from their fear and panic triggered by the freedom-demanding people of Mazandaran.

March 16, 2004: Nationwide, patriotic Iranians packed the streets in celebration of Chahar Shanbeh Souri, the Fire Festival. The Fire Festival is one of the most ancient Iranian celebrations dating back thousands of years. Since its establishment, the Islamic Republic has strived to eliminate this Iranian celebration because of its un-Islamic rituals. This night, the Islamic authorities were utterly feeble against the young, patriotic Iranians. Bonfires, firecrackers, loud music and dancing filled the streets. In some locations, anti-regime slogans echoed the streets. In most cities, observing the massive number of celebrators Islamic authorities held back until the night was over.

In her glorious history, Iran has seen peace and harmony, and tyrants and hardships. Nevertheless, the sun always shined on the Iranian frontier. Whenever there is darkness, tomorrow there will be light. The Iran Student Movement embraces a new generation of freedom-demanding, secular activities that will not sell short of a true Secular Democracy. One day, human rights will be established in our motherland. And with pride we speak, "Long Live Freedom, Long Live Equality, Long Live Iran."