The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran), reported that the protests by retirees and pensioners held across the country, demanding their delayed pensions and higher wages as the inflation rate continues to rise.

Nationwide protest by retirees and pensioners

In the third nationwide protest rally in the Persian new year (March 20, 2021) retirees and pensioners protested against the mullahs regime’s oppression. The dire living conditions, low salaries, and devastating high prices have made it impossible for retirees and pensioners families to survive.

Despite the heavy presence of the State Security Force (SSF), the protest in Tehran, followed by a demonstration was held in front of the regime’s Parliament building and in other cities in front of the branches of the social security office.

 

 

The State Security Force attacked the retirees and pensioners

The State Security Force (SSF) blocked the pensioners and attacked anyone trying to take video to prevent the people from joining the rally and to spread the news of the protest. Repressive forces arrested a woman who was filming but was forced to release her following protest by others. Retirees and pensioners after gathering in front of the Parliament marched towards the Planning and Budget Organization.

Retirees and pensioners were chanting, “Unless we obtain our rights, we will be doing this every Sunday.”

 

 

Tabriz, retirees, and pensioners

In the city of Tabriz, retirees and pensioners put an empty tablecloth on the ground symbolizing their empty dinner tables, to protest their deteriorating economic situation. Retirees and pensioners while chanting slogans, entered the Social Security building and began a sit-in there. The State Security Force (SSF) used batons to try to remove them from the building but the retirees resisted.

 

 

Isfahan and Rasht retirees and pensioners

In Isfahan, retirees closed Abbasabad Street for two hours and resisted SSF’s actions to open the road. In Rasht, too, retirees clashed with the State Security Force, who had detained several protesters.

 

 

Boycott the clerical regime’s sham presidential election

Retirees and pensioners in most cities stressed the need to boycott the clerical regime’s sham presidential election. Retirees and pensioners chanting, “We have heard too many lies, we will no longer vote.”

Other slogans by retirees and pensioners included, “Only by taking to the street may we obtain our rights,”

“Our tables are empty, enough of repression,”

“We will resist until we get our rights even if we have to sacrifice our lives,”

“Enough of empty promises, our tables are empty,”

“Rouhani, you are a liar, what happened to your promises,”

“Our enemy is right here (the regime), they lie that it’s America,” and “We have not seen any justice, we will no longer vote.”

 

 

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi statament

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) stated: The nationwide protests by the dignified retirees reflect the cries of protests by all Iranians to obtain their pillaged rights by the mullahs’ corrupt regime.

This regime has been squandering the national wealth and the fruit of workers’ labor through plunder, warmongering, nuclear and missile programs, and domestic suppression.

Mrs. Rajavi urged all Iranians, especially the brave youths, to show solidarity for and support the retirees’ rightful demands. She added that as long as the mullahs’ dictatorship remains in power, unemployment, inflation, corruption, injustice, and class differences will exacerbate.

 

 

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook)

and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube