Iranians protest on labour day against pro-Palestinian policies

IranWPD ^ | 5/1/04 | IranWPD

[freedom44]

April 30 – World Labour Day was commemorated in Teheran on Friday - a holiday in Iran - with thousands of workers protesting against labour policies and the government‘s Middle East policies.

The demonstrators, who gathered at the Baherestan square in downtown Teheran, shouted skip Palestine, focus more on our own Iranian problems".

The Iranian government, for which Middle East developments top the political agenda, has several times been criticized by students and labourers for paying more attention to the political situation in Palestine than to the problems at home.

They also complained about the labour policies of President Mohammad Khatamis government and demanded wages compatible with the countrys inflation.

Labour Day was commemorated in Iran one day earlier as Friday is a holiday in Iran and Saturday a working day and demonstrations on working days are avoided due to the heavy traffic in downtown Teheran./-

[John Will]

Tic Toc, time is counting down.

[freedom44]

From Peykeiran in Persian:
http://web.peykeiran.com/net_iran/irnewsbody.aspx?ID=14185

Quick Translation below:
Despite all the stone throwing, limitations and suppressions there were large marches by workers on friday morning. According to reports, tens of thousands of working men and women took to the streets for marches today starting at 9am heading for Baharestan Square. The were chanting slogans such as "Majles Bee Gheyratee, Hargez Nadeedeh Mellati (No country has ever seen such a shameless Parliament), workers also shouted slogans against the Labor minister. They protested the anti worker laws and attitudes of the Islamic Republic. Large banners were carried by groups of 30 people, while the crowds were shouting slogans expressing their disapproval of the government's anti worker laws and attitudes. Slogans written on the banners included "Gharardad Movaghat, Molghi Bayad gardad"(temporary contracts must be cancelled). Other slogans included: Keshvar e eslami, farhang e barde dari mamnoo ast ( the Culture of Slavery is forbidden in an Islamic Country). There were reports of fully equipped anti riot militia stationed everywhere in mini busses. In Safi Ali Shah street, there were 3 anti riot police stationed every 50 meters.

[freedom44]

ping

[McGavin999]

LOL, this is hysterical! I hope the Palestinians find out about this. Where is Al Jazeera when you need it ;o)

[nuconvert]

"There were reports of fully equipped anti riot militia stationed everywhere in mini busses. In Safi Ali Shah street, there were 3 anti riot police stationed every 50 meters."

When I read things like this, I can't help but think about what may happen in June and July.

[F14 Pilot]

Bump!