Iran schoolgirls stand up to a feared parliamentary force, removing headscarves and shouting
Schoolgirls in Iran are continuing to take a stand against the country’s repressive regime, this time by heckling a member of the Basij.
The Basij is a feared paramilitary force and one of the five forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp.
The girls waved their headscarves and shouted at the man who addressed them.
It comes as anti-government protests continue to sweep across Iran, largely sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
Amini died in custody and many believe this was a result of police brutality.
The young woman’s death shone a spotlight on the regime’s brutal treatment of dissenters. Residents also say it also highlighted the government’s general disregard for human rights.
The nationwide unrest is over two weeks old and has quickly become the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders in years.
Riot police are spread out across the cities of Urmia, Tabriz, Rasht and Tehran.
The police are particularly prevalent around universities as these institutions have been a focal point of protests.
“There are lots of security forces around Tehran University. Lots of police vans are waiting outside to arrest students,” said a student speaking to Reuters.
Other videos and footage circulating on social media show Iranians taking to the streets. Here they are chanting slogans like “death to the dictator” in defiance of the nation’s leaders.
The Basij has been helping security forces crack down on the demonstrators, often using extreme force.
But the resilience of the protesters, including these schoolgirls, shows that the regime’s days may be numbered.