36 Universities in Iran Join the Nationwide Demonstrations

Following the calling for nationwide student protests on Sunday May 15th, 2011 [25 Ordibehesht, 1390], by student activists at Tehran University and Amir Kabir University and the support by a significant number of other universities, the Facebook page associated with this spontaneous student uprising published a preliminary list (on May 11th, 2011) of universities that have announced their support for this calling and plan to attend the nationwide student demonstrations.

In a statement addressed to the supporters of the Green movement and organizers of the nationwide student protest, the Facebook page associated with this student uprising responded to a number of open questions and criticism regarding 1) why the identity of those behind the 25 Ordibehesht Facebook Page was unknown 2) whether the timing of the nationwide demonstrations was effective given the recent infighting amongst coup government officials. In response to the first criticism, those behind the 25 Ordibehehsht Facebook page sited security reason and their intent to first and foremost protect the lives of student activists who have in the past paid the heaviest price, and secondly ensure that the planned protests are not crushed by the coup government, as has been prevalent in the past, for not disclosing the identities of those involved in the spontaneous student uprising.

As for the timing of the demonstrations, the organizers reminded everyone that the current protest first began from within the student movement demanding that the government put an end to the recent rise in tensions as a result of an increased security atmosphere on campuses across the nation. The organizers reiterated that the objectives of the nationwide demonstrations are therefore to support this recent protest by students to the increase security at universities by the coup government and as such has nothing to do with the internal conflicts within the current regime.

The 25 Ordibehesht Facebook Page stated that at the time it published its statement, 36 universities had added their support to the nationwide student demonstrations on Sunday May 25th, 2011, providing the following guidelines based on numerous meetings with various student activists:

1. After much debate the official time and location for the nationwide demonstrations was decided as follows: Time: 11 – 11:30am, Location: the open courtyards on campus. A number of universities have announced specific times and locations, provided in list of attending universities below.
2. The organizers reiterate that the main objective is to boycott classes on May 15th and gatherings should only take place at universities that have the potential to organize such events.
3. Some universities have opted to also launch a hunger strike on this day, protesting the sub-par on campus Food Services, a decision that is left to the discretion of each university.
4. Given the independent nature of the student movement, with regards to support by other segments of society (both inside and outside Iran) and suggestions that Iranians abroad also organize demonstrations on this day, while any support is welcome, the organizers would like to announce that no specific plans have been made in this area.
5. The dormitories at the universities are ideal for disseminating information regarding the May 15th demonstrations. We ask therefore that in addition to online activities, while taking the necessary security measures, all students begin creating awareness within their respective campuses.
6. We ask all students to send any announcements regarding demonstrations at their campuses via email at [email protected] and to all other Green media outlets.
We thank all media outlets that have supported us in the dissemination of this important news and in doing so chosen not to abandoned the student movement during these challenging days. The preliminary list of universities planning to attend the nationwide student demonstrations on Sunday May 15th, 2011 is as follows: (please note that in the event that the time and location have not been announced, students are asked to gather between 11:00 to 11:30am in the main courtyards on campus.)

1. Members of the Islamic Association of Tehran University: Time: 11:30am, Location: Entrance to Technical Faculty
2. The Green Students at Amir Kabir University, The Protesting Students at Amir Kabir University: Time: 11:30am, Location: Entrance to the Men’s Self Service Restaurant.
3. A number of students at Soureh University
4. Green Students at Gilan University: Time: To be Announced, Location: The route towards the small Bazaar, in the direction of the Faculty of Agriculture
5. A number of Students at Elm o Saanat University
6. The Green Students at the Azad Islamic University in Sari
7. The Protesting Students at the Art University
8. The Green Students at Shahid Beheshti University, ncluding a number of members of The Islamic Association at Shahid Beheshti University
9. A number of Students at Allameh University, the Protesting Students at Alameh
10. A number of students at Mazandaran University
11. The Green Students at Tabriz University
12. The Green Students at the Medical Sciences University of Tabriz
13. The Green Students at Azad University Tabriz
14. The Green Students at the Industrial University of Sahand
15. The Green Students at Azad University for Science & Research Tehran: Time: 12:00 noon, Location: Entrance to the Faculty of Humanities
16.The Green Students at Azad University Rabat Karim: Time: 1:00pm, Location: Outside the University, next to Abnama
17. The Green Students at Azad University Karaj
18. The Green Students at Bou Ali University Hamedan
19. The Green Students at Azad University Lahijan: Time: 11:00am, Location: Entrance to Technical & Engineering Faculty (main university square)
20. A number of students at Azad University Tehran South
21. Students at Azad University in Khomeini Shahr Esfahan: Time: 12:00 noon, Location: Entrance to Technical & Engineering Faculty
22. The Green Students at Azad University Ghaem Shahr
23. A number of students at Tarbiat Moalem University Karaj
24. The Green Students at Payam Nour University Mazandaran
25. Students at Azad University East Tehran (Ghiyamdasht): Time: to be announced, Location: Grass area between phases 1 and 2
26. A number of student and civil activists at Semnan University
27. Students at Azad University (Beyza Fars): Time: 11:00am, Location: university court yard
28. The Islamic Association of Azad University Pishva Varamin
29. The Freedom Seeking Students at Shiraz University: Time: 11:00am, Location: Pardis Eram Square
30. The Green Students at Gheyre Entehafi University North: Time: to be announced, Location: Pedestrian area from university entrance to the Faculty of Humanities
31. The Green Students at Azad University Mashhad: Time: 11:30am, Location: open courtyard on campus
32. A group of students at Azad University Khoram Shahr: Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm, Location: Entrance to Technical & Engineering Faculty
33. A group of Protesting Students at Azad University Aarak: Time: to be announced: Location: open courtyard on campus
34. A number of students at Tarbiat Modares University
35. A number of students at Ghazvin University: Time: to be announced: Location: Ghalam Square
36. A group of students at Imam Reza International University Mashhad

It is worth mentioning that a group of former Ministry of Oil (recently merged with the Department of Energy) employees, have also announced their support of the May 15th, 2011 nationwide student demonstrations stating: ” While supporting the protest movement by the students, we strongly condemn the authoritarian and dictatorial behavior by the regime and reject the ineffective policies of the current government. Freedom of thought and expression is our indisputable right. As such we also strongly condemn the cowardly behavior of the illegitimate government and their continued silence in the face of outrageous crimes by government officials behind the walls of notorious prisons in Iran, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience.”

ُSource: BanooyeSabz