Iranian protesters broadcast 'red alert' from loudspeakers to drum up support

A number of casualties were reported as Iranian forces intensified their crackdown on protesters.

By TZVI JOFFRE
Iranian forces beat a woman in a mall in Tehran, November 16, 2022 (photo credit: 1500tasvir)
Iranian forces beat a woman in a mall in Tehran, November 16, 2022
(photo credit: 1500tasvir)

Iranian protesters set up loudspeakers in locations across the country broadcasting an air raid siren and a "red alert" message calling on people to join the protests, as demonstrations commemorating the 2019 "Bloody November" protests continued on Wednesday.

"Strike. Strike. Nationwide strikes. This is a red status alert. In the last few days, Iran has lost many of its children and many of our youth have been imprisoned. Cruelty is rampant and the oppressor continues to beat the drum of crime. Compatriot, if you don't protest and strike today, the darkness will come to your house...The time of revolution has come," read the announcement broadcast over loudspeakers in multiple locations in Tehran, Janatabad and Qaem Shahr.

Footage from Shahin Shahr showed a young woman playing the sound of an air raid siren on a loudspeaker while walking the streets as well.

Iranians play a "red alert" call for people to join demonstrations, November 16, 2022 (Credit: 1500tasvir)

Demonstration continue nearly nine weeks after killing of Mahsa Amini

Nearly nine weeks after protests began after the killing of Mahsa Amini, demonstrations were reported across Iran, with protesters chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads.

Stores and businesses across Iran were closed for a second day on Wednesday in solidarity with the protests.

In Izeh, in the Khuzestan Province, protesters torched a seminary. Iranian state-controlled media claimed later in the evening that a "terrorist attack" had targeted a market in the city, with at least five people killed and 10 others injured.

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Omid Barin, a journalist at DW, reported that security forces fired at protesters in Izeh, Bukan, Saqqez, Mahabad and Sanandak in what he theorized was a coordinated operation.

A seminary in Bojnurd was also torched by protesters early Wednesday morning.

Protesters in Bukan surrounded the governor's office in the city, placing it under siege, according to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization.

Additionally on Wednesday, a revolutionary committee of members of the LGBTQ+ community was founded in the Kurdistan region of Iran. "We take to the streets to say that democracy will only come when the demands of all suppressed groups are met," said the committee in a statement shared by Barin.

Iranian government crackdown intensifies against protesters

Iranian forces cracked down heavily on protesters throughout the country, with multiple casualties confirmed with footage shared by Iranian activists and human rights organizations.

Footage from the Tehran metro showed guards beating protesters with batons and shooting into crowded train cars. Another video showed a shopkeeper at the Shadabad iron market in Tehran bleeding heavily after he was shot by security forces.

Video from a mall in Tehran showed a number of police officers surrounding and beating a woman with batons as she screamed "I am just shopping."

Another video in Tehran showed firefighters operating at an apartment building that was reportedly set on fire by tear gas fired at it by security forces.

In footage from Ahvaz, heavy gunfire could be heard amid protests. Footage from Dorud and Kamiyaran also showed Iranian forces firing at protesters.

At least 342 people have been killed during the protests, according to the Iran Human Rights organization.



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