The national uprising [8] in Iran continued to spread over the past week, with petrochemical workers walking off the job at the major Asalouyeh plant on the Persian Gulf coast of Bushehr province—shortly followed by a similar wildcat strike at Abadan [9] refinery in the neighboring restive province of Khuzestan. Videos posted to social media [10] show workers at the Asalouyeh complex chanting "This year is the year of blood, Seyed Ali Khamenei is done!" and "Down with the dictator!"—both references to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. (Iran International [11]) Security forces fired on protesters in Sanandaj, capital of Kordestan, another traditionally restive province, killing at least five. (BBC News [13]) Lawyers in Tehran gathered in front of the Iranian Central Bar Association to protest the repression, and were themselves dispersed by tear-gas. (Jurist [14]) In scenes across the country, schoolgirls held protests in which they removed their hijabs in defiance of authorities. In the southern city of Shiraz, Fars province, dozens of schoolgirls blocked traffic on a main road while waving their headscarves in the air and shouting "Death to the dictator!" (BBC News [15])
While details remain sketchy, there was apparently a rebellion at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison [16]. At least four inmates died with many more injured after a fire broke out at the facility Oct. 16. (BBC News [17], Iran International [18])
The death toll since the protest wave began last month is now placed by rights monitors at 224, with at least 23 children among the slain. (Al Arabiya [19], Amnesty International [20])
The current uprising now far surpasses the nationwide wave of protests [21] over economic grievances in 2019.
