Scenes of Class Struggle in Teheran And....
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- Category: News & Analysis
- Created on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 09:38
- Written by Red Neda
Green-Red wrote as introduction for this posting on the November 4 actions in Iran:
"'Scenes of Class Struggles in Tehran and…' was the title the Red Neda comrades had chosen for the report of this demonstration. Here is the text of the report and, i hope, many other people hope as well, that it was a good lesson and productive experience for the people, as an introductory session to the December 7 demonstration which is the real historic students' day, that its origin goes back to the Shah’s time during a visit of Richard Nixon's to Iran... [when] the Shah’s regime guards and soldiers fired into the crowd of students and three activist students, Shariat Razavi, Ghandchi and Bozorghnia died. Ever since then, this date is the hottest day of student movement’s legacy.
Scenes of Class Struggle in Tehran and …
Report of the November 4th Demonstrations in Iran (originally published Saturday, November 14, 2009)
Although, The Telecommunication Bureau had blocked the secure communication protocols such as VPN and HTTPS, tens or maybe hundreds of written, video and graphical reports of Nov. 4th demonstrations were sent online, even before we had a chance to establish a secure connection. Fortunately, this is an indication of the Islamic republic regime’s utter defeat in their attempts to censor the reports of the people’s struggles. The rise in numbers of reports, from one action to another, blocks the regime and the liberal analysts’ attempts to abuse and misrepresent the nature of the peoples’ struggle to the internal and international public.
The early starts of the people gatherings (even as early as 7 AM in some centers of Tehran) showed how people are zealous and excited to participate in this protest. On the government side, the deployment of thousands of the repressive forces – the police, Islamic Guards, Baseej and security agents, in uniforms of all colors and plainclothes, deployed in the sensitive spots of Tehran, showed the regime’s fears of successful demonstrations. Although all areas of Tehran was under special surveillance, and practical marshal law, but the concentration of troops were more evident in Enghelab and Azadi streets-particularly in front of the Sharif and Tehran Universities, Valiasser streets-especially between Taleghani and Enghelab, the Hafez Avenue- particularly in front of the gates of Polytechnic University and Karimkhan, Haft Tir Square- from Moftah and Karmikhan up to Valiasser square and (Keshavarz) Boulevard.
On the other side, the peoples’ concentration points began at Haft Tir Square, and Valiasser Street -from Enghelab crossroad up to Valiasser square, and Ferdowsi Square. Where, they were faced with the anti insurgency and Baseej forces raid and confrontations, immediately. The concentration of the repressive forces prevented people’s ranks to solidify for awhile. The intensity of encounters caused the people to gather up in the side streets before moving to the point of confrontations. Any group’s chanting would alert the repressive forces and they would attack towards them immediately. While they were busy with one group, another group would start, diverting the forces’ attention to themselves.
Around 9:30 am the confrontation at some centers were so intensified that the repressive forces were forced to use tear gas against the people. The courage of the people was best shown when they initiated counterattacks with their bare hands against the fully equipped anti riot forces. This exposed the ineffectiveness of the reformists’ “non-confrontation policy” and peoples’ non-submission to their “leadership”. These suggestions of non-confrontations apparently had not affects on the Liberal leader; Mehdi Karoobi’s body guards either. When the anti insurgency forces attacked him and his supporters, Mehdi Karoobi’s body guards got into a bloody confrontation with the regime agents. Eye witnesses reported that one of his body guards was shot and fell down. Others reported that a tear gas canister was shot directly to his head from a very close range, injuring him seriously.
From the Tehran University area we received reports of students’ confrontation with the repressive forces. The students were blocked from leaving the university campus. After an hour, finally, some groups of students cracked the blockage and expanded the confrontation to the streets, where, the supportive people were present. On the other hand, although there had been severe confrontations in Taleghani Street, between 10 and 10:30 am, thousands of people managed to have their ranks consolidated. With chants of slogans, such as “Down with the Dictator”, they began marching toward the American Embassy. Their chants were heard through the regime’s television broadcasting live, from the official gathering of few thousand of the regime agents in front of the US embassy.
One of the most severe confrontations occurred in 7 Tir Square, after Mehdi Karoobi (A liberal leader) entered the area. Repressive forces began using tear gas on a wide scale, and started beating the peoples with clubs and metal pipes. Confrontations were to such an extent that a large number of people with broken skulls and bones took refuge into the houses that had left their doors open for this purpose. Eye witnesses reported on people’s counter attacks, pushing the armed security forces back, through which lots and lots of regime agents were wounded. As mentioned above, Karoobi’s guards were widely involved in these confrontations. During these battles, numerous gun shots were reported in smaller alleys and side streets. These confrontations occurred in a wide area between Motahari and Moftah streets up to the Amjadieh Stadium and Karimkhan and Iranshahr.
But, the situation in Valiasser Street was totally different. There, from Motahari Street down to Valiasser Crossroad was filled with people. Repressive forces were using tactics to create gaps in the people’s ranks, filling it with their own forces to separate them to crowds of few thousands in order to be able to decompose the crowds. People’s slogans in this area were radicalized to “Death to Dictator”, “Death to Khameneii”, “Independence, Freedom, Iranian Republic”, “Down with government that deceives people,” and numerous times the slogan “Down with the Islamic Republic” was chanted by the crowd.
Confrontations in many places continued for hours and hours. Tehran looked like a war zone by afternoon hours. Karghar and Jamalzadeh and Azadi streets up to Azadi square were filled up with Elite Forces and Anti Rebellion Units fighting the people. Most of the wounded were transferred to the local hospitals, Khomeini Hospital in particular. Among the wounded were some of the mercenaries as well. Direct shooting in to the crowd was reported in this area. Eye witnesses report from Shariat Razavi Hospital that two youths who were shot in their legs were admitted to the emergency room of this hospital. People’s combat with regime agents in Azadi and Sadeghieh areas continued for some hours after dark. Several reports indicate that a few Yellow Buses that were used to transport Baseej forces were burnt down by the people. There have also been confrontations between people and repression forces in Mirdamad, Vanak Square and Seyed Khandan as well. In all areas of the city, to save themselves from tear gas attacks, the people had emptied large garbage containers in the middle of the street and set them on fire. Sadeghieh area’s slogans were “Death to Khameneii”, “Khameneii is a killer, his leadership is invalid”, “Death to Jannati,”(out spoken coup supporter) and “Death to Ahmadinejad.” Such violence was not reported since the first week after Friday June 19th Friday Prayer, when, Khameneii permitted the use of live bullets to suppress the demonstrations.
In 7 Tir Square, at 4 pm, a new wave of people rolled in to the streets. In response, the regime agents attacked people brutally. Black Shirts (Anti Riot) Units beat people up with Electric Clubs and sprayed boiling water on protesters. High School Students stood firmly in front of the regime agents, and chanted with an incredible bravery. Courageous school girls (holding each other’s hands) made chain around those students to save the boys from the Black Shirts. But, they became the victim of a vicious assault, themselves. Many were injured and arrested, and transferred to unknown locations. The use of boiling water also occurred in Vali Asr Street. Number of arrested is very high. Injuries were heavy, specially, fractured skulls due to the use of Metal Bars by the Basijj Units.
In the afternoon and past the hours of dark, streets were filled with the scent of revolution. Canisters on fire, streets barricaded, Slogans of “Down with the theocracy”, “No to the principle of Theocrat Leader” and, “Killing, Raping, Suppression, has no effect any more” and the sirens of ambulances filled the city.
We cannot say when this battle was finally over, but the class war goes on! The next battle is being organized for Monday December 7th, 2009.
FROM OTHER CITIES:
Many cities stood up against the Islamic republic regime’s dictatorship along with the Tehran population. Of course, considering the conditions of province cities, and the fact that people can be quickly identified, since they are less populated, participating in protests are more difficult, an needs lots of courage. In some cities that people were not present much, the weigh of the movement was upon students’ shoulders. Most parts of the news below have already been broadcasted by some news agencies abroad, but, our comrades from Neda News have organized them according to cities and hours of broadcasting.
TABRIZ: (Tabriz is the capital city of East Azerbaijan Province of Iran, it is the fourth largest city and has a population around 1.4 million people)
At 11:00 a.m., along and simultaneous with other cities of the nation, students of the Tabriz University began their November 4th demonstrations. Right now, Special Guards Units and the Security Forces are busy suppressing students in front of the Tabriz University. Students are resisting. 11:15 a.m., people’s groups were formed and people were chanting “Allah o Akbar”. From the very first moment, plainclothes forces horridly attacked the people and many people were beaten and hurt; girls and women were severely attacked with no considerations at all. 12:00 noon, Combating with plainclothes Hezbollah goons continued. Due to peoples determination they were beaten back. Half an hour after these confrontations, the Special Force Unit of the Police joined in to help plainclothes goons. Heavy usage of Pepper Gas spray filled the large area of many blocks from the University and all the Adjoining streets, making breathing very difficult. Many people were injured and arrested. Students also wanted to join the people but due to university gates’ lock up, they were unable to get out of the Campus. And the students who were outside of the university were severely wounded. University of Tabriz was surrounded by the security forces while, slogans of “God is Great (Allah o Akbar) and death to dictator could be heard from inside. According to reports, most of the arrested ones were transferred to Police Station #11 of Tabriz that was near the gathering area. 14:00 p.m., Number of regime agents is so high that cannot be counted. It could be said that today for every one protester, there are 19 plainclothes agents placed by the repressive regime. Some 16, 17 years old guys from the Baseej Militia have been equipped with Tear Gas Canisters. Lots of the people have gathered in Abressan. But, all this have not stopped the peoples’ chanting since 11:00 a.m. in this area. Demonstrations continued up to Tabriz Hotel’s entrance door. People were busy taking photographs and films from the faces of the plainclothes agents whose number was a lot. Suddenly in a few seconds the whole street was filled up with motorbikes, Special Unit cars and the security agents. Immediately, the plainclothes agents attacked the protesters, and pushed 8 of those people into the hotel’s courtyard. Agents and Baseej Units were able to break in to the peoples’ ranks. One woman who was around 28 – 30 got into big fight with one of the plainclothes agents and rest of the Baseej goons attacked her violently and pushed her toward the hotel courtyard. One person, who went over to help a friend being arrested by the Baseej, was directly attacked with pepper spray, right into his eyes. I was briefly able to take glance of the courtyard, I saw the woman and two other men’s bodies in terrible conditions.
ISFAHAN: (Isfahan city, capital of Isfahan province is the third Largest City of Iran with over a million and half population)
11:00 AM- Over 1000 people have gathered in Isfahan’s Chahar Bagh Avenue chanting “Death to Dictator”, security forces attack people with their clubs hitting people on heads and faces. Right now security force has filled up this area and for each one of us there is almost one of the security agents. 11:40 AM – Once again in Chahar Bagh Ave. people gathered for one more try of consolidating their ranks to start the demonstration. There is now around 2 to 3 thousands who are chanting “Death to the Dictator”. Repressive police force is all over this place and they are beating and hurting people to prevent the demonstration to take shape. However, the people are very persistent to resist and they are standing up to confrontation. Streets that lead to Isfahan University and rest of the surrounding streets are blocked to stop groups of people to connect. 14:30 PM – 33 Bridges Area: Right now a big crowd of protesters are moving toward the Shiraz Gate. Repressive forces are trying to have them dispersed. The people of Isfahan today were under severe beating and attacks of the regime security forces and their demonstration continuation is truly commendable.
In Shahin Shar (small working class town near Isfahan) there were scattered confrontations between people and repressive forces. Some people were arrested. Security forces hit people in their heads and faces, both with metal and plastic clubs, many people are severely wounded. A lot of people were apprehended and taken to Seyed Ali Khan Police Station. The repressive forces immediately arrested each and every people who were taking photos or taking video shots with their cell phones. We have no information of the people arrested and their whereabouts.
SHIRAZ: (Shiraz is the sixth most populous city of Iran and, it is the capital of Fars Province with a population of near 2 million)
9:30 AM – Thousands of people gathered in Shah Chiragh Shrine (The King of Lights shrine that is the most famous shrine of the city) chanting out “Down with the Dictator”. Security forces and people get into fight, they want to arrest one of the freedom seeking women but the righteous youth do not let it happen. Elm Square is crowded with the people. In Setad square a big group of people have gathered chanting against the government. At around 11:00 am when under severe security measures the formal regime’s ceremony was being held, people gathered nearby in Namazi square and Alam square, with lots of the security police forces and plainclothes present. As people’s gathering in Alam square and the students group continued in Pardis square, all of a sudden the population was attacked by over 50 masked motorbike riders, speeding in to the crowds. Due to the short distance between these two squares people were fleeing in both directions.
It was very clear that plainclothes began taking pictures and films of the people. During same times the students who had pickets in their hands, were rapidly apprehended. This action flared up the peoples’ sentiment in organizing a counter attack, freeing the students. This counter attack resulted in warning shots, and another violent attack, and the arrest of 20 or more of the people.
From 16:00 until 17:00 A large gathering was commenced in Daneshjoo and Paramount Squares, with very large crowd. In Shah Chiragh also there was a gathering. As it was planned, they moved towards the Alam Shiraz Square, but due to dense presence of repressive forces, they change their route towards the Daneshjoo Square, where the confrontation occurred. One girl was very brutally beaten up.
MASHHAD: (Mashhad is the second largest city of Iran, one of the holiest cities in the Shiite world with a population of two and a half million)
In the City: …In Mashhad also the November 4th large demonstration against the coup regime has already begun. Right now Ab square and Khosravi Square are crowded and demonstration is beginning. 1400 hour, Mashhad’s Ferdowsi University: Near Park Square it is very crowded. Sound of gunshots firing could be heard from Ferdowsi University. People are worried about the students. Around 500 people have gathered in front of the Azad University. Everybody was chanting “Death to the Dictator”, “We the people are all together, we are a nation that wont’ break down.” Some people were arrested and taken away. Up until now we do not know what has happened to them.
In the University: move began from the Technical School of Engineering, then after passing the School of Mathematics and Economy students began their anti regime slogans in front of the central building. In Dentistry School there were bits of confrontation between the students and the security forces. Plainclothes and Security forces were all over the scene. In front of the Dentistry School people from outside started to chant along with the students, but the security forces dispersed them. Around 1330 hour a group of “student looking guys” was brought into the university on bus. Their intensions were to start a fight, but they were pushed back and dispersed by students’ militant counter attack. The Baseej forces who were outside of the university were challenging the students to get out and fight with them. The interesting point is that the Special Guard Units were hiding in one of the backstreets waiting for students to get out. But, the students were wise to this old trick and simply continued their protests within the campus limit. In front of the School of Architecture a confrontation occurred as well. In 15 Khordad square, near the shrine, where government had called for its own version of November 4th demonstration, the people chanted anti regime slogans and some of them were arrested there.
GHAZVIN: (Capital city of Ghazvin province. Its name is the way Arabs used to know the Caspian Sea, has over a third of a million populations and, used to be a capital city, there is an international university in Ghazvin.)
Based on the reports, the students of the International University of Ghazvin heated up the university atmosphere with holding another protesting rally. A day before the November 4th student day, a large number of the students of the university expressed their protestation through a unified voice. Students gathered in front of the Technical School that is the base of this university and they expressed their solidarity with the political prisoners. With slogans such as, “Death to the Dictator,” “Secret negotiation, shame upon the nation”, “Raping, Arresting, Cannot Work any Further” and more slogans proved the continuation of the national movement. They had pickets in their hand with pictures of the political prisoners and through chanting slogans such as, “Political Prisoners Must Be Free!” they wanted their incarcerated beloved ones freed. In addition to that, they had slogans such as “We are all a single voice; Neda’s blood was our blood”, “University is not a military base” and, they carried out pictures of the ones who were martyred fighting the regime.
Also, there was a pro regime program held in this university by the Islamic Students Society, a pro coup organization, in which Alireza Afshar, Minister of Culture and Society of the coup cabinet and assistant of Ministry of State of the preceding regime was to deliver a speech. The protesting students organized a protest in front of the hall, where this program was held. At the beginning of the program, the pro coup students delivered a statement that was booed by the protesters. Then by holding signs of “Political Prisoner Must Be Freed!” and “Death to Dictator”, and chanting slogans throughout Afshar’s speech, the students made him to cut short of his speech leaving the amphitheater grumpily.
RASHT: (Capital city of the Gilan Province and, the largest city along the Caspian Sea coast; with over half million population)
At 11:00 AM around 200 up to 300 people had gathered in the center of Rasht going toward the Basic Science University but on their way the repressve agents attacked and dispersed them. Later people gathered once again near City Hall chanting against the regime but the suppressive agents attacked them with electric clubs and beat them severely.
ZAHEDAN: (Capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran, over half a million population, near Pakistan and Afghanistan borders, most people talk Balochi, same as some people of Pakistan and, some in Afghanistan do.)
People of Zahedan along with freedom seeking peoples of Tehran and other cities have risen up against the coup regime. In Azadi Square some of the people gathered with signs in their hand with slogans, against the regime and the system. Also in The Chemistry School of the Sistan University around 200-300 people gathered.
URUMIA: (Capital city of the West Azerbaijan Province, over 600,000 populations, center of fertile agricultural region for fruits and tobacco.)
Around 1200 noon a number of students and people gathered at Khayam Square. Security forces confronted them and with rigorous attitude made them flee.
KERMANSHAH: (Capital city of Kermanshah Province. Near a million populations, people are generally Kurds.)
This morning, November 4th in continuation of the government’s attempts of last several weeks to prevent the November 4th demonstrations, they gathered a number of Baseej students in Baseej uniforms and head bands in front of the Education and Development Office. But, the people of Kermanshah who had come over for Nov. 4th protests, changed the atmosphere of the gathering by chants of “Death to Dictator”, “Down with China”, “Down With Russia” (for aiding the coup cabinet of Ahmadinejad) and singing the Yare Dabestani (symbolic opposition song). All through the route of demonstration, the walls were filled with slogans, such as “Death to the Dictator” and, “Death to Khameneii”. Also, what was evident was the government mercenaries’ efferts to paint over them. All classes of the Kermanshah University were called off to prevent any sort of students’ gatherings within the campus.
LAHIJAN: (A city in northern west of from Gilan Province, on the shore of Caspian Sea with a population of around 70 thousand people, the first city in history of Iran that grew tea. Lahijan’s rice, tea, silk and cookies are sold all over the country)
People’s gathering took place at The Azad University and Payame Noor of Lahijan. 500 people participated by chanting against the dictatorship of the regime. Later, the demonstrators marched to Shohada and Azadeghan streets, where the protest ended at 13:00 PM with no major incident.
AHWAZ: (Capital city of Khuzestan Province of Iran with near 1 and a half million people population.)
13:30 hour: Students of Ahwaz University gathered at 9 am chanting slogans against Ahmadinejad. Students from different schools were getting together in the university area. Their efforts to break through the blockage of government forces around the University were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, students kept on chanting against the coup government. Unfortunately, the gathering of the striking workers of various plants did not materialize.
BORUJERD: (Borujerd is a city in Lorestan Province, with over a quarter of million populations, the second largest city of Lorestan Province where people speak Lurish)
Students of Borujerd University organized a protesting rally. At this moment of reporting situation is really tense, Baseej agents have gone wild and are attacking the people. Security agents constantly taking photographs and films of the people participating in this action. ; But the people of Borujerd are not intimidated and are continuing with the protest.
KHORRAMABAD: (Capital city of Lorestan Province. Near 400.000 people living in the city)
At 14:30 hour the protesters joined the formal government demonstration at the main Prayer Field of the city. The government organizers would direct the chants Through the loudspeakers, but the people, inattentive to the call of “Down with America” shouted their own slogans “Death to the Dictator” and “Down with Russia”. Baseej and Security forces could not distinguish the protesters from others; however, they arrested anybody trying to take pictures or video film the events..
ILAM: (Capital city of Ilam Province, a Kurdish province with near 200,000 populations.)
Condition in Ilam is hazardous. Security forces keep on shooting students with plastic bullets. The repression forces and mercenaries arrested the ones who were filming and began beating up people with clubs. Alley to alley the agents search for the youth that had been given shelter in the houses.
SHUSHTAR: (An ancient fortress city in Khuzestan province, with near a hundred thousand people populations)
This morning the Shushtar Azad University students began their protesting inside the university. Later they tried to march outside of the university campus, but they were faced with the security forces blocking their way. Finally, it ended up with confrontations and regime agents managed to prevent the students getting out of the campus.
SISTAN: (A border city in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in south east of Iran near Afghanistan)
This morning students in the Sistan School of Industries gathered several times and chanted against the regime. The repression officers whose number was high, attacked the students and arrested a number of them.
Bandar-Abbas: (Port city in Hormozgan Province on the southern coast of Iran on the Persian Gulf; this city occupies a strategic position on the narrow Straits of Hormuz between Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, base of the Iranian Navy, with population near 400,000 people.) Regardless of government threats, the November 4th marching was conducted by High School and University Students within the University campus. They marched all around the campus and gathered in front of the main gate raising their fingers making a V signs and chanting slogans. they ended their demonstration with no serious confrontation.
HAMADAN: (Capital city of Hamadan Province, over half a million populations, one of the oldest cities of Iran and the world, capital city of the very old Median Empire)
Today from 1200 to 1400 students in one of the Basic Sciences University of Hamadan salons gathered and protested and, expressed their demands along with slogans against the regime officials. Sound of their protest was so loud that its echo all over the University and was heard in most of the classes.
KURDISTAN: Regardless of the regime and security forces pressures, a group of the students of Kurdistan University on the afternoon of November 4th gathered in School of Literature and Human Sciences of this university. In this protesting rally 200 university students were present, who chanted slogans “Death to the Dictator” and “Down with Autocracy”. Due to severe opposition and resistance of the university officials this gathering occurred within the university and plainclothes and security officers had it all surrounded. Using a Scrambler, university officials cut off phone connections for a one kilometer range to prevent transferring news of the happenings to the outside world. That is while the ground cabled phones and other means of transferring news to the outside had been already cut off for some days for supposedly “technical reasons”. Plainclothes security officers were not letting others and specially reporters to get into the university and, more persistent the reporters were, harsher they would be treated by the agents. It is noteworthy that the plainclothes officers were checking students’ bodies carefully, and all cell phones that could take picture and film were confiscated.
GORGAN: (Capital city of the Golestan Province, a quarter of a million populations.)
In Azad University of Gorgan there was a protesting rally. Some of the students were attacked and beaten by the security forces; some injuries and broken bones were reported.
Comments (11)
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Guest (David_D)
PermalinkI get the protests part, but I don't get the "class struggle" part. What class? Against which class?
How do you develop an anti-imperialist opposition in Iran? That would be distinct from groups like MEK that have transformed into pawns of imperialism. Can MEK be part of a broad front? What is the correct configuration of forces for a broad front in Iran?
You have some forces that claim that Iran's government is, indeed, part of an objective anti-imperialist united front. On the other end, some claim that all resistance to the Iranian state must be supported.0 Like -
Guest (Ahmad Farsi)
PermalinkDear David
Usually a Marxist forms her/his position her/him self by studying the material situation of the subject. Never on what other people's claim.
You ask what class struggle? The ruling class in Iran is a very monopolized capitalists & part of the world capitalism (Imperialism). Now, how can such a class be "Anti-Imperialist"?
This class is in direct contradiction with the Iranian proletariat, which, with their families form 80 percent of the population. The class origins of the people in the street, is mainly proletarian of blue & white colored workers, plus the intellectuals, mostly students of the same class origin.
If they are called "People" and not "working class", is because their struggle is not organized. Their struggle is in form of a populist uprising, due to its spontaneity. It needs a lot of work by the communists in order for this struggle to take the shape of a clear cut Proletarian Class Struggle, as you wish. The nature of this work must definitely be on the line of Marxism in order to succeed. Which, organizations such as MEK & Tudeh Party (Old CP)& PFGO (majority) & others are not part of the answere, but, are part of the problem, along side of The Right Liberals.0 Like -
Guest (David_D)
PermalinkAhmad Farsi: You say "The ruling class in Iran is a very monopolized capitalists & part of the world capitalism (Imperialism)."
The proletariat rules in no country. But when China was a socialist country, Mao did indeed have a conception of a united front against imperialism (UFAI) - I am not speaking of the "Three Worlds Theory" succinctly presented by Deng Xiaoping at the United Nations in 1974, but rather the concept of UFAI upheld by Mao and his closest comrades including Zhang Chunqiao, Wang Hongwen, et al. And his conception was definitely that states under exploiting class rule in the third world could act in an anti-imperialist manner objectively. Mao would never have claimed that Indonesia under Sukarno, for instance, was ruled by the working people, but he saw it as an anti-imperialist force.
I am not making the argument that Iran is part of a UFAI, but some forces do assert this either explicitly or implicitly. Workers World Party and its offshoot PSL come to mind, as well as some "MIM"-like internet posters calling themselves "Third Worldists." Iran is part of the third world, and is oppressed by imperialism. It has a bureaucrat capitalist ruling class in contention and collusion with imperialism. There is struggle within that class over which aspect (collusion or contention) should be principal. Right now, given the correlation of forces in Iran, the victory of the popular movement against the Islamic Republic would mean that the collusion with imperialism would definitely become the principal aspect of Iran's relation to imperialism. Does this mean that this movement should be opposed? I do not have an answer to that question, and I am sure that the Iranian communists can answer that through their deeds.
Ideally, there would be a viable third way, under revolutionary leadership, to break Iran free from the three mountains weighing down on them; however, there is no viability for such an option at present. I believe the main point for communists outside Iran should be to oppose imperialist subversion and aggression against Iran, support the legitimate rights and struggles of the peoples of Iran, and oppose the plot of imperialism to infiltrate, control, direct, and channel these popular struggles.0 Like -
Guest (Siawash)
Permalink"This class is in direct contradiction with the Iranian proletariat, which, with their families form 80 percent of the population. The class origins of the people in the street, is mainly proletarian of blue & white colored workers, plus the intellectuals, mostly students of the same class origin."
Where did you get this non sense information? 80 percent of people in street are actually petty bourgeoisie and middle class not proletariat class. What is your sources? If the leftist in the world want to rely on your subjective truth which has no basis on objective reality of Iran class composition they will be mislabeled.
Get your facts straight before you make such a none sense claim.
Unfortunately, some Iranian working class are lead by economists organization and revisionists. Working class had and has no effect on street demonstrations of Iran. they may go in the demonstrations individually but not organizationally! And that is a big deference! Iranian working class are after their loss wages! And the revisionists organizations who have partially tied with only minority( not even minority but very less than that) of working class of Iran are no concern and are not interested in that contradictions as well as street demonstrations in Iran. Since according to them this is a contradiction between the two factions of reactionary Islamic Republic of Iran regime!0 Like -
Guest (Green Red)
PermalinkDear Comrade Siavash,
Hi. Thanks for the comment. Please bring your discussion to authors of the article that are http://nedaanews.com and continue your debate with them. Are the employees of a small company proletariat? Is your definiation of proletariat from 19th century or, is theirs a self made?0 Like -
Guest (Ahmad Farsi)
PermalinkHi
To our comrade Siyavash, I only say, thanks for your incredible contribution to Marxism by finding a new class called the "Middle Class". If I didn't know better I would have thought that you believe Iran is still a Feudal Society. Since, in Marxism, up until now, this referred to the Bourgeois Class in Feudal mode of production. But, since you are Iranian and are aware that the Land Reform was a half a century ago, then you must mean a new found class in a capitalist mode of production, called "Middle Class" the only thing missing is your definition for it! Where does this class stand in relations to the process of production. since it is not capitalist, it does not own or control the means of production. And since it is not Proletariat, it does not sell its labor for wages!If you enlighten us with your definition or examples of your "Middle Class", we shall see that you will be my source of information.
Dear David,
you say that "I am not speaking of the “Three Worlds Theory” succinctly presented by Deng Xiaoping at the United Nations in 1974, but rather the concept of UFAI upheld by Mao and his closest comrades including Zhang Chunqiao, Wang Hongwen, et al. And his conception was definitely that states under exploiting class rule in the third world could act in an anti-imperialist manner objectively."
See! You are using the category of "Third World" as a valid theory for analysis of a Revolution. It really doesn't matter whose "Third World Theory" you are referring to, since, this type of division of Human Society is not as valid as "Class Theory" concerning the revolutionary movements. We can divide the human society to "Colored" and "White", Men and women, Etc... or the countries and states to "North", "South", "East" and "West". 1, 2, 3, 4 Worlds that they all really exist. But, as far as the Science of Class Struggle (Marxism) and Theories of States and Revolution is concerned the only division that gives us the correct view of a society, is that of The Class Theory. The "Three World Theory" lacks this scientific base and meshes all the classes of the society together, simply, to justify the Chinese Foreign Policy towards the "Social Imperialism of Russia" and their tenancies towards the Americans. Remember that It was Moe who greeted Nixon, not Deng.
However, the problem with the Maoist Theory of Revolution starts from 30 years before that. The "Stage Theory" of "New Democratic Revolution". Please read "The New Democracy" of Mao's in comparison to the "Communist Manifest" very carefully. Marx and Engels talk about the bourgeoisie expanding the market and the Capitalist relations all over the world. This will bring them in conflict with the reactionary Feudal Society classes that are dependent to the small and national trades. In the "New Democracy" Mao says that the National Bourgeoisie and Petty Bourgeoisie that are in conflict with the expansion of Imperialists are "Revolutionary". At the beginning of that article, Mao regards this nature of the bourgeoisie in specific situation in China. But, as he goes on, he expands the validity of this theory to all countries that were the subject of Imperialists' infiltration regardless of their mode of production and the classes involved.It is the same outlook that in its development disregards the Class Structure of countries and divides them by their degree of development of Industry to 1, 2, 3, and now by Monthly Review Gang 4 worlds.
Well, at least,in Iran, this theory did not work in the Revolution of 1979. Since, in reality the main contradiction was/is between the Proletariat and Bourgeoisie. The peasant question and National (Anti Imperialist) Bourgeois is simply non-existent. The Land Reform of 1960 - 62 under Martial Plan took care of that.
We have many articles in critic of Mao's "New Democracy" on the theoretical levels and its contradiction to the Marxist Theories. Even articles criticizing his philosophical views "On Contradictions" and so on. Unfortunately they are all in Persian and we have not enough man power to translate them at this time.
We all came from a Maoist background and lost an opportunity of revolutionary change in 1979 Revolution due to trying to implement these invalid theories in Iran. Lost thousands of our comrades to this mistake. We are the fortunate ones that survived the 30 years of Anti-Revolutionary Era, which gave us time to rebuild our understanding of Marxism from its alphabet upwards. Checking and re checking the old and new theories against the reality of history of human societies and the material conditions we were living under. The true Marxist Methodology, and not taking Individuals, as great as they may seem,as the prophets of the Gospel.
As far as the Anti Imperialist Position of ours is concerned, we don't believe that any strata of Iranian Bourgeoisie or The World Capitalism (Imperialism)is capable of aiding the Proletariat to reach its goals and class interest. Our revolutionary Theory presents the alternative of a Soviet Republic as the Direct Democracy of the Proletarian Masses through Peoples Assemblies (councils-Soviets)which, only are formed through the reliance of a Mass Revolutionary action to overthrow the Capitalist State Machinery. we don't believe this is something that Imperialism of any kind would find to their benefit.Since, what they are after is a Capitalist middle east as their base to swallow the Central Asia.0 Like -
Guest (Green Red)
PermalinkIt appears to me that comrade Ely and others are busy working somewhere. and in fact all there are lots of true economical sruggles going on that makes people busy, hence, regarding the demonstration in Iran planned for a December 7th I place the text here.
In the meantime, Regarding comrade Ahmad Farsi's discussion above denying validity of Mao Tse tung Thought application for semi feudal/colonial countries - of course it does not read along original Marx's writing and, China's unfortunate taken over by Deng Xiaoping and associates is solid fact but, none of that denies the fact that Mao's metho of struggle is the most suitable - and practical - version for countries such as Nepal, India, Philippine, Bangladesh and so forth. So, if comrade Ahmad Farsi finds revolutiona stage of Iran to be Socialist, as appose to new democratic in Iran, but same applies not to the case of India and Nepal with totally different lifestyle and 70 percent of hidden people in the countryside and jungles.
Each country has its own condition and, I am sure that policies that caused China's failure will not be repeated in India after its Maoist revolution since, only through practice humanity learns. Here is the flyer:
December 7th – Day of Unity, Struggle till Victory!
From the first day of this academic year, the militant students of Iran universities marked the December 7th and repeated the message of this auspicious day on daily basis, as promised. They also have promised to continue this daily struggle until the very last day of this academic year. Hence, our message for this year is not directed toward the militant students of Iran. Since, they are the couriers of Iranian people’s revolutionary struggles, themselves. Our message rather is directed toward the courageous peoples of Iran on how to reply to the revolutionary call of the university students on December 7th.
Courageous People of Iran!
On December 7th 1954, only one year after the American CIA executed a pro royal coup on August 19th 1953, under the pretext of American Vice President, Richard Nixon’s trip to Iran, in a protesting demonstration, the students of Tehran University showed that despite the bloody atrocities of that year, the revolutionary struggle of Iranian people will continue until its ultimate victory and establishment of democratic political order. It was during that demonstration when the slogan Unity, Struggle, Victory became the key slogan of people’s protesting, and the exclusive mark of students’ struggles and their unity with revolutionary movement of Iranian people, up until today. This was an attestation inscribed upon the cobblestones of Tehran University with the red blood of three fallen comrades Bozorghnia, Ghandchie and Shariat Razavi. This slogan, until this very day, has remained the oath of the students’ movement to obtain freedom for the people of Iran. Ever since, the university students of Iran cherish that tragic historical date annually, and have called for upholding the revolutionary struggles until the final and ultimate freedom of all the people. Therefore, let us commemorate this day in December 7th 2009, not simply as the Students’ Day, but rather as the day in which the people of Iran unify with the militant students in the struggle for freedom.
As other occasions of struggle, the Military-Security forces of the regime keep making threats of "firm police actions". Also, the compromisers and reformists are calling to keep the struggle solely limited to the student programs inside the university campuses. But, the militant, revolutionary students, through different means such as their slogans, flyers and posters, have called upon us to respond positively to their request of joint commemoration of the memory of the fallen comrades of December 7th 1954 and other fallen comrades in the road of freedom, and fight against the reactionary ruling regime. We, the Communist Workers of Iran will stand beside them and we call on all layers of oppressed people –in particular the Iranian working class – to stand alongside of the students and the communist activists.
Many of the student's groups have asked us to gather in front of the main entrance gate of the University of Tehran. We shall do so. But, we must not limit our struggle only to this single action and limited geographical location. Like recent demonstrations on Ghods (Jerusalem) day and the November 4rd, we must turn every corner of Tehran and other cities of Iran into the scene of people’s battles against the regime's forces, all throughout the day. We must remember that people of the whole world are watching us. Therefore, we should confront the regime's mercenaries in a manner to become a model of struggle against global plundering capitalism.
All sectors of the ruling regime have shaken out of fear because of our revolutionary slogans. Reactionaries are showing their fangs and claws, and compromising reformists are asking us to be moderate in our slogans and actions. In reply we ask them that why should we moderate our freedom and justice seeking demands, when they are not willing to moderate their thirst of power and riches? Why should we consent to the survival of the dictatorship of capitalist regime, when the capitalists are siphoning our last drop of blood for their profit seeking ventures? Why should we satisfy ourselves with the minimums, while the bosses are not even satisfied with their maximum rate of profits? That is why on that day, along with the slogan of “Unity, Struggle, Victory”, we should chant out loud our slogans of “Death to the Dictator”, “Down with this capitalist government”, “Down with this dictatorship regime”, “Down with the Islamic Republic” and finally “Bread, Housing, Freedom – Soviet Republic” and the other democratic demands of the people of Iran.
Throughout the struggles in that day we should remember that the repressive forces are not a “National” force, but, mercenary agents of reactionary rulers that they have brought into the streets to defend the interest of some plunderers, by beating, and incarcerating, and killing the people. Unlike what the compromising reformist have said, they are not our "brothers", who, are delusional and unaware. they are groups of bandits and hoodlums who are hired for millions of Rials as their payment to force us to silence and surrender. The reformists tell us not to resist when attacked by these barbaric forces, while their own bodyguards, with the smallest sign of threat, engage in bloody confrontations with them.
We must always remember that the compromising reformists are a part of this ruling regime themselves that by abusing the struggle of people of Iran for freedom, try to solve their inner disputes. They encourage us to surrender to the mercenary agents unconditionally and offer the necks of our relatives, street companions and ourselves like sacrificial lambs to the butchers' knives. But, we must remember the incidents of tortures, killings and rapes that happened to arrested people in Kahrizak and other holding centers. We must always keep the memory of killings of Nedas, Sohrabs and Amirs alive in our minds and resist beating, hurting and arrests of our street companions and ourselves.
Militant Students! Courageous People of Iran!
With unity in our struggle in December 7th 2009, we shall register another golden page of struggle and victory in historical epics in Iran!
Unity, Struggle, Victory!
Down with this Capitalist State!
Bread, Housing, Freedom – Soviet Republic!
Communist Workers of Iran (CWI)
November 28th 2009
I have to point out that "Communist Workers of Iran" have nothing to do with the pro imperialist Worker-Communist Party of Iran (the Hekmatist that is two or three splits right now)
Let us watch what this December 7th demonstration brings about in Iran0 Like -
Guest (Green Red)
PermalinkWARNING!
Apparently knowing the imminent revolutionary nature of the coming demonstration on 7th, the regime has already tightened its claws into flesh of the Iranian exploited masses. To prevent revolutionary and possible insugency occurrance in tomorrows demonstration, people, suspected, potential progressive people are going in jail.
This is an emergency flyer received from Khodro Workers (the way flyer is made and worded appears to be done in haste and rapid manner):
Iran Khodrow (Iran Vehicle) Workers:
We condemn the recent arrests.
Dear Friends and colleagues,
within recent few days tens of workers, students and mourning mothers have been apprehended and have been sent into prisons.
Among these arrestees tens of workers that are all friends of us, the workers,
Tens of students that are children and friends of ours,
Tens of them are mothers that are all our mothers
The government has closed its eyes and arrests anybody it wants, putting them in prisons.
The whole state's environment is all under security and nobody is allowed to even go to public parks.
In which country wanting backed off wages is a crime?
In which country making a gathering is a crime?
In which country climbing mountain is against the law?
In which country going to Public Park is illegal?
What are the charges against the mothers?
In which country studying is a crime?
Friend workers,
So shameful it is but how long should we be protesting against this condition? The condition the regime has created is unbearable.
Having freedom is the definite right of us, the human beings,
Long Live Liberty!
Some of the Khodrow Workers
December 6th 20090 Like -
Guest (Green Red)
PermalinkA part of Mainstream report on Iran's students' revolutionary struggle on December 7th,
As soon as i receive a report from the opposition, i'll share that with our American revolutionaries
Green Red
Iran: More than 200 arrested in student protests
By NASSER KARIMI
The Associated Press
Tuesday, December 8, 2009; 8:52 AM
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran threatened tougher action against protesters Tuesday after more than 200 were arrested during marches by tens of thousands at universities across the country, the biggest anti-government rallies in months.
The warning suggested that Monday's unrest raised authorities' concern that the protest movement could pick up new steam. The protests Monday turned into fierce clashes between youths throwing stones and riot police and militiamen wielding batons and tear gas.
Perhaps more importantly, they also saw an increased fervor and boldness among demonstrators, who more openly broke the biggest taboo in Iran - burning pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and chanting slogans against him.
- - - -
From here on there is description of the photos that was enclosed with the artilce that is partially presented here:
SLIDESHOW Previous Next
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows an anti-government Iranian female student wearing a green scarf, the symbolic color of opposition, as she covers her face, during a protest, at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The potential for violence inside the campuses was high. Some 2,000 Basiji students were brought into Tehran University early Monday _ ostensibly to hold a celebration for the Shiite holiday, but such hard-line students are often used to crush pro-reform rallies on campus. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership _ the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows pro-reform Iranian students surrounding hard-line students, center face to camera, during their demonstrations, at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The potential for violence inside the campuses was high. Some 2,000 Basiji students were brought into Tehran University early Monday _ obstensively to hold a celebration for the Shiite holiday, but such hard-line students are often used to crush pro-reform rallies on campus. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership _ the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows pro-reform Iranian students and hard-line students scuffling during their demonstrations, at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The potential for violence inside the campuses was high. Some 2,000 Basiji students were brought into Tehran University early Monday _ obstensively to hold a celebration for the Shiite holiday, but such hard-line students are often used to crush pro-reform rallies on campus. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership _ the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (Str - AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows pro-reform Iranian students, marching during their protest at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. Security forces and pro-government militiamen clashed with protesters shouting "death to the dictator" outside Tehran University on Monday, beating men and women with batons and firing tear gas, on a day of nationwide student demonstrations, witnesses said. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (Str - AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows female anti-government Iranian female student holding a banner that reads: "death to the dictator" during a protest at Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The potential for violence inside the campuses was high. Some 2,000 Basiji students were brought into Tehran University early Monday - ostensibly to hold a celebration for the Shiite holiday, but such hard-line students are often used to crush pro-reform rallies on campus. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership - the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (Str - AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows pro-government female Iranian students chanting slogans as they hold posters of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during their demonstration, at Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. The potential for violence inside the campuses was high. Some 2,000 Basiji students were brought into Tehran University early Monday - ostensibly to hold a celebration for the Shiite holiday, but such hard-line students are often used to crush pro-reform rallies on campus. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership _ the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (Str - AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows Iranian female students helping another one who is affected by tear gas, fired by security forces, in a protest at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. Security forces and pro-government militiamen clashed with protesters shouting "death to the dictator" outside Tehran University on Monday, beating men and women with batons and firing tear gas, on a day of nationwide student demonstrations, witnesses said. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership _ the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (AP)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows pro-government Iranian students burning a representation of the US flag, during their demonstration, at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. Some 2,000 Basiji students were brought into Tehran University early Monday ostensibly to hold a celebration for the Shiite holiday, but such hard-line students are often used to crush pro-reform rallies on campus. Pro-reform campus groups called for students across the country to turn out Monday for massive rallies at universities against Iran's clerical leadership the first major protest in more than a month. (AP Photo) EDITORS NOTE AS A RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL IRANIAN GOVERNMENT BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA COVERING SOME EVENTS IN IRAN, THE AP WAS PREVENTED FROM INDEPENDENT ACCESS TO THIS EVENT (AP)0 Like -
Guest (Green Red)
PermalinkAnother article which's title is self explanatory from Reuter:
Iran says will show no mercy to opposition protesters
Tue Dec 8, 2009 2:11pm GMT
By Parisa Hafezi
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will "show no mercy" towards opposition protesters seen as threatening national security, a judiciary official said on Tuesday, a day after thousands of students staged anti-government rallies.
A nationwide rally on Monday to mark the killing of three students under the Shah turned violent when students clashed with security forces armed with batons and tear gas in the largest anti-government protests in months.
"From now on, we will show no mercy towards anyone who acts against national security. They will be confronted firmly," said prosecutor Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, according to the official IRNA news agency.
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It is notewrothy that in the rest of this article and some other articles the reporters have made it appear as a struggle between pro reformists and the pro fundamentalist regime wings.
That is incorrect since, although calling for such demonstration and its inner underground leadership are much more ratdical leftists who are continuing an struggle started long ago with the Shah's regime killing of three students during vice president Nixon's visiting Iran a year after CIA initiated coup against Dr. Mossadegh, the person who nationalized oil for Iran and, years of struggles of various groups that one way or another were under the leadership of highest ranking students of Iran.
A remarkable part of that was the ones who started urban guerrilla warfare in early '70s who from one side showed that Shah's regime is not solid and unbreakable but on the other hand, due to their Che minded and immature sayings such as "If a guerrila dies his gun will be immediately taken by another fighter", they did not form a communist party or, mass base and reliable leadership. And with dying of their leadership and, due to China/Russia conflict and the new leadership having to take a stand, Tudeh party (Iranian CP) infiltrated and made the group into a Soviet puppet that basically ended up following Ayattollahs. Without proper leadership, the fruit of those struggle got rotten with feudal minded reactionary Islamists and the west, facing Shah's failure, chose to let Khomeini get into power rather fearing the worse, that is a communist uprising.
And it was the same Tudeh Party and People's Fadaee Majority supporters who turned in members of tens of other organization and from turning in pro western coup initiators (In Nozheh) up to shoorint Maoist gunners in Amol along Islamic Guards, had terrible affects upon the whole reputation of the left of Iran.
On the other hand, another self proclaimed orthodox Iranian group - Sahand, later called Worker-Communist Party, had another terrible effect on many revolutionary groups, including the Komeleh of Kurdistan that destroyed those groups revolutioanry mass bases. The latter group, took over Komeleh, formed (Then called) Communist party of Iran that instead of being fighting the regime, they ended up long wars against Iranian Kurdistan's Democratic Party so, Iran's left from this economist side got the second stab in the back.
Later, this group that became Worker communist party, became so corrupted and westernized that it literally supported the US attack to Afghanistan to "liberate women from Talibans".
Today, their supporters are aligning themselves along with Iraninan monarchists in the west and indirectly begging the US to come and supposedly establish a modern democratic regime (with a Marxist labor party!?) as if, the US intervention in any country has done good to their masses.
Thus in Iran a new leftist movement is being formed at a time that the workers and, the people are much further ready to call and act for a revolution but, due to the terrible history of the left (and other trends) there practically is not a solid leadership for that, although few new groups (such as Red Neda with its position of support only for early Soviet Union and, Paris Commune) are fomred that is still not even a workers party yet (although trying to form one) and lots of other Iranian left groups are practicaly web site groups living abroad.0 Like
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Kasama is a communist project for the forcible overthrow and transformation of all existing social conditions. We are open to learning, unafraid to admit our own uncertainties. We will not shrink from what we do know: the solutions cannot be found within the current world order or the choices it provides. We are for revolution. We seek to find the forms of organization and action for the people most dispossessed by this system to free themselves and all humanity.
To take this road, we need a fearless, open-eyed debate, discussion and engagement. We need fresh analyses of the rapid changes shaping the world around us. We need to sum up a century of revolutionary strategies and attempts, victories and defeats – instead of the conventional wisdom and facile verdicts that paralyze our movements. We need to re-imagine a radical politics that can take life among people and move mountains.
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