Mass Protests Continue in Iran After Mahsa Amini’s Death – Casualties Rise
On Sunday, October 9, demonstrations that began on September 17 after the funeral of 22‑year‑old Mahsa Amini in Saqez have gone on for weeks. Protesters demand the toppling of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defying a brutal crackdown by the authorities.
What the Numbers Say
- At least 185 people have been killed. That includes 19 children and a number of teenagers.
- The toll is the highest in Sistan and Baluchistan, where about half of all casualties have occurred.
- Security forces claim that 20 officers have lost their lives on the other side of the story.
Where the Heat Is On
Videos that hit social media show the streets of dozens of Iranian cities – from Tehran to Shiraz – roiling with high‑school girls and university students. They are chanting, waving banners and refusing to bow out, even as tear gas, batons and what many are calling live ammunition rain from above.
Authorities deny that live bullets are being used, but reports from human‑rights organizations suggest otherwise. They blame “foreign agitators,” citing the United States and other enemies of the regime, to explain the violence.
Why It Matters
This uprising has turned Iran’s clerical rules into a battleground. The public is demanding change, and the crackdown’s violence is turning many into martyrs. The death toll only grows as the protests get louder, and the world watches.
What’s Next?
The protests are far from over. Every street, every campus, every voice is adding a chapter to a story that’s now about more than just one woman – it’s about a generation looking for freedom.
‘Don’t hit my wife, she is pregnant’
Things Got Really Rough in Iran’s Schools and Streets
1. Clubs, Chaos, and a High‑School Riot in Tehran
The famous activist @1500tasvir shared a video on Twitter showing armed security officers swinging clubs at students inside a Tehran high school. The footage captured the grim scene as the officers advanced, leaving the campus in a frenzy.
2. A Woman’s Cry in Rafsanjan
During Saturday’s unrest in Rafsanjan, a man could be heard shouting, “Don’t hit my wife; she’s pregnant,” as he desperately tried to shield his partner from the police raids. The clip, posted on Twitter, highlighted the personal stakes amid the broader crackdown.
3. Schoolgirls on the Run in Bandar Abbas
Using the popular account @Mamlekate (which boasts over 150,000 followers), a video was uploaded depicting security forces in pursuit of dozens of girls in Bandar Abbas. The snap followed a wave of strike calls that prompted several cities to close their shops.
- New media reports confirm that shops shut down after activist‑led strike announcements.
- Digital and social posts remain shaky due to strict censorship.
Truth‑Telling Challenges
Since the Turkish‑style agency Tasnim issued reports that a deputy interior minister coined “rioters” as a broad term, official statements condemned those “who beat up Iranian women and girls…” a hard line against perceived dissenters.
The Tragic Case of Amini
On September 13, Amini was hauled from Tehran for allegedly wearing “inappropriate attire.” Three days later, she was pronounced dead in a local hospital, sparking outrage.
- A state coroner’s report listed pre‑existing medical conditions as her cause of death.
- However, her father sued the police, arguing that she was beaten while in custody.
- A family lawyer referenced “respectable doctors” who testified about the beatings.
International Fallout
Following the crackdown, Western powers have acted swiftly.
- The US and Canada have already imposed sanctions on Iranian officials.
- Meanwhile, the European Union is weighing asset freezes and travel bans.
What the EU’s German Ambassador Said
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock slammed the regime in an interview with the afternoon paper Bild am Sonntag: “Those who beat up women and girls, who abduct, imprison and condemn for mere freedom stand on the wrong side of history.”
Takeaway
From clubs in classrooms to a desperate shield over a pregnant woman, these videos and their aftermath illuminate the depth of Iran’s unrest—force, fear, and the fight for dignity. Social media is blowing up, but official narratives lag, leaving victims, families, and activists to shape the truth on their own ground.
