20 June 1981 Iranian protests explained

20 June, 1981 Iranian protests
Coordinates:Tehran, Isfahan, Urmia, Shiraz, Arak, Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas (Iran)
Causes:Opposition to the Islamic Republic, Impeachment of president Abolhassan Banisadr
Date:20 June 1981
Time:16:00
Status:Protest quelled
Methods:Demonstrations, riots
Side1: PMOI
Side2: Islamic Republic
Leadfigures1:Massoud Rajavi
Leadfigures2:Ruhollah Khomeini
Injuries:156–200[1]
Fatalities:16–50[2]
Arrests:1000+[3]

The 20 June 1981 Iranian protests, also known as the 30 Khordad protests, was a one-day anti–Islamic Republic protest organized by the People's Mujahedin of Iran on 20 June 1981 in various Iranian cities in response to the impeachment of the then president Abolhassan Banisadr.[4]

Background

A few days before the protest, Asadollah Lajevardi ordered the arrests of Massoud Rajavi and Mousa Khiabani; but the security forces could not locate them.[5]

Events

On 20 June 1981 protests were seen in Tehran, Isfahan, Urmia, Shiraz, Arak, Ahvaz, and Bandar Abbas.[1] Protests in Tehran were focused in the city centre and around areas such as Enghelab street, Ferdowsi square, Moniriyeh square, Taleghani street, and Vali Asr street. The government responded swiftly, at least 16 were killed and 1000 arrested near the University of Tehran.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: مهلكه۳۰ خرداد ۱۳۶۰.
  2. Web site: Terrorists, cultists – or champions of Iranian democracy? The wild wild story of the MEK. . 9 November 2018.
  3. Book: Abrahamian, Ervand. Radical Islam: The Iranian Mojahedin. 6 November 1989. I.B.Tauris. 9781850430773. Google Books.
  4. Web site: رادیو زمانه - سی سال حقوق بشر - گفت‌وگو - "برخی از کارکنان دفتر بنی‌صدر هم اعدام شدند". www.zamaaneh.com.
  5. Web site: گام به گام تا فاجعه؛ محاسبه هر دو طرف اشتباه بود. سعید شاهسوندی عضو سابق کمیته مرکزی سازمان مجاهدین خلق. ایران. BBC News فارسی. 25 June 2011.