Protesters Call for Reform in Iran

Baton-wielding security forces arrested at least 60 people in the Iranian capital Saturday, a city official said, as thousands gathered in and around Tehran University to call for political reform.

The demonstrations, which coincided with National Students’ Day, were the most significant sign in recent weeks that ordinary Iranians are willing to join students in the largest pro-reform protests in the nation in at least three years.

“Around 60 to 70 people have been arrested, most of whom are being questioned,” Ali Taala, general director of security and political affairs at the governor’s office in Tehran, told the student news agency ISNA.

He said the street demonstration, unlike a student rally within the university campus, had not been authorized and was therefore illegal. Most arrested were not students, he said.

On campus, at least 2,000 students chanted “Death to dictatorship!” and called for a national referendum on Iran’s political future.

“We are calling on you to respect the people’s choice,” student leader Mohammed Ajdadi said. “We are the last generation to speak to you through dialogue. The younger generation is already preparing its fists.”

The rally was marked by sporadic violence as students and members of a hard-line Islamic militia hurled stones over the high university fence.

The protests reflect simmering tension in the country of 65 million where President Mohammad Khatami’s reformist government is at loggerheads with powerful hard-liners opposed to his agenda of greater democracy and social freedom.