The Green Revolution’s Next Phase: A Workers’ Strike?
Over the past week, Iranians bravely challenged the regime, including protesting on the anniversary of the July 9, 1999, student uprising that was bloodily put down. Universities in Tehran were on alert and armed security personnel deployed. Clashes erupted, with demonstrators in some cases repelling the thugs. Last week’s events show that the opposition Green Movement is still alive. Not only is it evolving as it learns how to cope with security measures, it is also gaining steam as the potential for a regime-killing workers’ strike becomes a real possibility.
Helicopters flew overhead in Tehran to spot gatherings of people that would then be dispersed by the security forces using batons, tear gas, and even knives and brass knuckles. Text message services were disrupted. Most groups were of 20 to 30, but there were moments where hundreds were together like at universities in Mashhad and Ahwaz. One report says about 200 protestors were able to come together and force the Basiji forces back at Seyed Khandan Bridge at Vali-e-Asr Square. The security forces returned and fired tear gas, and went so far as to arrest people who looked back as they dispersed. In another incident, agents harassing three women had to flee when they were confronted. People were detained who were seen using cell phones in the area between Vali-e-Asr Square and Tehran University, where protestors were also active.
The days leading up to the July 9 anniversary were more important than the actual event. The Tehran bazaar closed to protest a reported 70 percent tax increase on them. The regime then said they really meant 30 percent, and then backed down completely. Merchants in Isfahan and Tabriz also shut their doors, forcing the regime’s agents to attack them. One fabric merchant died from a stab wound on July 7. Others reported that their products were thrown out and glass items were smashed. It won’t be easy for the regime to win back the merchants after that aggression. The ferocious reaction of the regime and its ultimate retreat from a tax increase show that a strike by those in the bazaars, especially around the time of political protests, makes them shiver.
If the bazaar strike can unite with a strike by the general workers and political activists, the regime may be doomed — and the regime’s actions over the past week only serve to show they agree. As the Associated Press reports, “For decades, the ruling theocracy has counted on the thousands of bazaar families and businesses as some of their most stalwart backers.”
The near future may bring about such a common front. Factories are closing throughout Iran, and workers are being laid off or working for months in the hopes of one day being paid. There have been sporadic strikes. The regime has been talking about reducing gas subsidies, which could increase the price by six times. When the regime tried to ration fuel in 2007, gas stations were set on fire and there was violent uproar.
Professor Mehrzad Boroujerdi of Syracuse University told the AP, “If gas prices go up, that means the cost of transportation goes up and that means goods cost more. This part is crystal clear. But is it going to translate into political dissent from the bazaar? We don’t know yet. The jury is still out.”
Bizarre, not Bazaar.
Editors not working Monday mornings?
No, “bazaar” is correct in all cases presented. Economic activity flows through bazaars in Iran, so using the term is correct and appropriate to this article.
ba·zaar /bəˈzɑr/ Show Spelled[buh-zahr] Show IPA
–noun
1. a marketplace or shopping quarter, esp. one in the Middle East.
2. a sale of miscellaneous contributed articles to benefit some charity, cause, organization, etc.
3. a store in which many kinds of goods are offered for sale; department store.
Use Bazaar in a Sentence
See images of Bazaar
Search Bazaar on the Web
Also, ba·zar .
——————————————————————————–
Origin:
1590–1600; earlier bazarro < It ≪ Pers bāzār market
—Can be confused: bazaar, bizarre.
—Synonyms
1. market, mart, exchange.
You may apologize to the editors now.
Err… Parabellum?
The Bazaar merchants went on strike.
Brain not working? Heh!
Great post. The regime has obviously lost a lot of support and is becoming more repressive and brutal in an attempt to hold on to power. It’s only a matter of time before the current regime is relegated to the dustbins of history by their inability to maintain control. It can’t happen soon enough.
I hope Mossad, CIA, MI5 (or MI6 or whatever) etc etc are actively working inside Iran to help this whole process along.
Of course it’s probably best that we not know one way or the other.
A statement of support for the opposition from the White House would help though. But we know that’s never going to happen (unless it’s in support if the regime).
Are there no organizations set up in which to funnel money to the workers in the form of a strike fund? If not can someone please start one? I would like to donate and I’m damn near broke.
“The West should say it supports Mousavi in calling for the prosecution of those involved in electioneering and human rights violations, and that their trial is a matter of not if but when.”
The Democrat/ACORN/SEIU administration of the US support this sort of thing…..and fear the TEA PARTY like the Iranian Mullahs fear the Greens.
The “ideological struggle” has been going on since Mohammed mercifully died. Tribalism within Islam requires death and destruction. The only solution is to knock them back into the Bronze Age once again.
This is Support Your Friendly NeoCon Journalism. They will get rid of Sadam/Stalin/Hitler/the Viet Cong if we only send our money. Doesn’t mention that such support will be seen as outside imperialism interference and branded so by those we wish to oust.
LOL! When I first heard about this Green Revolution, I thought it was about making everything colored green. Ha ha ha! I’ve learned what’s its all about since then. It will be hard to get everyone to participate in this though.