Protests Over Water Shortage in Khuzestan Continue for Seventh Day; US Supports Iranians’ Right to Peaceful Assembly
Widespread protests in Khuzestan over water shortages continued for the seventh day, and according to citizen-journalist reports, protests were held on Wednesday, July 20 in various cities across the province, including Susangerd. Internet connectivity in the region is also experiencing disruptions.
Reports published on social media also indicate protests were held in Isfahan Province in support of Khuzestan protesters.
On the other hand, Hassan Nabuti, acting administrator of Izeh County, confirmed on Wednesday that one protester was killed during Tuesday night’s protests in Izeh, claiming the person was initially wounded and then died after being transported to a hospital by a private vehicle. He stated that “the manner of injury” to the deceased and “the identity of the attacker or attackers is under investigation.”
Nabuti denied that three protesters were killed in Izeh gatherings, claiming instead that 14 law enforcement officers were wounded and hospitalized. The acting administrator of Izeh denied that three protesters were killed on Tuesday. Iranian authorities, following past practice, have placed restrictions on free and field coverage of protest news.
Images Released Showing Continuation of Protests on Wednesday
On the seventh day of protests against water shortages in Khuzestan, gatherings were not limited to this province.
Visual reports show that a group of people from Yazadanshahr, Isfahan held a protest gathering on Wednesday in support of Khuzestani people.
Protesters in Masjed Soleyman also chanted on the seventh day of protests: “Police support, support”
A video has also been released that is said to show the formation of protests on Wednesday in Kermanshah.
Another video of protests in Masjed Soleyman has also been published on social media, with the narrator indicating the time as July 20.
On Wednesday in Tehran’s Azadi Square, as some Twitter users reported, special forces were deployed along with vehicles and equipment that appears to be intended for a potential confrontation with protesters.
- US Support for Iranians’ Right to Peaceful Assembly
The US State Department spokesperson stated on Wednesday, July 20, in his daily press briefing that the United States is closely following developments in Khuzestan and supports the right of Iranian people to hold peaceful assemblies and freedom of expression.
Ned Price, noting that Washington is also aware of reports regarding police shooting at protesters, said: “We support the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful assembly and to express their demands, as we do for any other people.”
A representative from New York State in the US House of Representatives also earlier on Wednesday strongly condemned the government’s attack on protesters while supporting peaceful protests by the Iranian people.
Claudia Tenney wrote in a tweet that the Iranian people, like the Cuban people, want to be free and are demanding their basic rights, and “the clerical regime in Tehran does not represent the history, dynamism, or future of the Iranian people.”
- Statement from Iranian Writers Association in Support of Nationwide Protests
The Iranian Writers Association issued a statement on Wednesday, July 20, referring to widespread protests by the people of Khuzestan in recent days, the strike by oil and sugar industry workers in recent weeks, and the coronavirus pandemic and lack of vaccines, condemning the suppression of protests and strikes and calling on journalists not to submit to censorship.
Meanwhile, the Tehran Teachers Professional Association also issued a statement supporting Khuzestan protests, holding the “leadership and main decision-makers” of the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for today’s “calamity” of the Iranian people and the killing of individuals.
- Iranian Diaspora’s Support for Khuzestan Protests
A group of Iranians living in Western America held a gathering in Los Angeles on Tuesday in support of widespread protests by the people of Khuzestan against water shortages.
Ali Ebrahimzadeh, one of the participants in this gathering, told a Voice of America correspondent that silence in the face of the killing of Khuzestan residents contradicts ethical principles.
Asel Akhvan, another participant in this gathering, also stated that the silence of Iranians outside the country is a betrayal of the Iranian people.
Source: Voice of America
