‘Our classrooms are empty because the graveyards are full’: Iran’s students on why they are protesting again
Students across several universities in Iran gathered to protest again, despite a heavy security presence and plainclothes officers stationed outside university gates. The protests began on Saturday, marking the start of the new academic term, and have spread to universities across Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad. Protesting students are boycotting classes due to the deaths of thousands of protesters in January's crackdown, with at least 7,000 confirmed killed and another 11,700 under investigation. The protests are fueled by the regime's labeling of dissenters as foreign-backed agents, which students claim is a tactic to silence them. Students are demanding freedom and peace for future generations, willing to risk their lives to achieve this goal. Protests have been ongoing since smaller demonstrations began weeks ago among medical students.