Iran: Many beaten and arrested at May Day rallies!
May 1, 2009- The May Day rally and celebration in Tehran, which was organized by independent Iranian labour organizations (see below) in Laleh Park, today May 1st, 2009 at 5 PM, was attacked by security and intelligence forces at around 5:30 PM and many have been beaten and arrested. The security forces did not allow more than two thousands people who had come to the park to join the event and arrested tens of activists and organizers and shut down the event before it actually started. According to various reports, the arrested labour activists include: Ms. Maryam Mohseni, and Messrs Behrouz Khabaz, Jafar Azimzadeh and Shahpour Ehsani-rad…. A more accurate and detailed report will be issued shortly.
The intelligence forces brutally attacked the event’s participants including women and children, by baton and tear gas etc., and forced hundreds of people out of the park. At this time, 8 PM, the park is surrounded by hundreds of security forces and those arrested have been transferred to police stations in Tehran.
May Day rally in City of Sanandaj was also attacked by security forces and plain clothes officers and many were beaten and arrested.
More updates will be issued soon.
Sources: Human Rights Activists in Iran and Free Union of Workers in Iran
For more information:
[email protected] or [email protected]
International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)
May Day Event in Tehran!
Date: Friday May 01 ,2009 at 5:00pm
Place: Kargar Street, Laleh Park - Abnama square
The May Day Organizing Committee
- The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company
- The Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company
- The Free Union of Workers in Iran
- The Founding Committee of the Syndicate of Building 's Painters and Decoration's Workers
- The Center for Workers’ Rights in Iran
- The Collaborative Council of Labour Organizations and Activists
- The Coordinating Committee to Help Form Workers’ Organizations
- The Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Free Workers’ Organizations
- The Women’s Council
-A Group of Worker Activists