Clashes in Iran

March 2001

IRAN, Isfahan. Dozens of demonstrators were injured and at least 25 arrested on March 4 during the breakup of a protest action staged by workers of the Simin factory in Isfahan.

Citing the law enforcement press service in Isfahan, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that demonstrators demanded that factory authorities settle their wage arrears. According to the Student Committee Coordinating Committee for Democracy in Iran, the action was held in spite of a ban by city authorities. Several hundred workers were attacked by law enforcement while marching towards its center of the city. Demonstrators responded with a hail of stones. On the following day, IRNA claimed that police resorted to force only after workers started throwing stones at them.