Iranian labor, civil and retiree groups voice support for protests

Labor organizations, retirees, and civil groups said in a joint statement that Iranian society is at one of the most decisive moments in its contemporary history, expressing solidarity with ongoing nationwide protests.

The groups said demonstrations unfolding in the streets, along with strikes and protests across the country, are a continuation of the 2022 uprising sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini following her arrest over an alleged hijab law violation.

“The current uprising has exposed institutionalized discrimination, systematic humiliation, overt repression, and structural poverty,” the statement said, adding that society is no longer willing to live under what it described as an unjust imposed order.

The statement was signed by the Retirees’ Union, the Kermanshah Electricity and Metal Association, Stop Executions, Justice Seekers, the Coordination Council for Protests of Contract Oil Workers, the Coordination Council for Protests of Non-Formal Oil Workers (Arkan-e Sales), the Coordination Council of Nurses’ Protests, and Neday-e Zanan-e Iran (Voice of Women of Iran).