May 1, 2009- The May Day rally and celebration in Tehran, which was organized by independent Iranian labour organizations (see below) in Laleh Park, today May 1st, 2009 at 5 PM, was attacked by security and intelligence forces at around 5:30 PM and many have been beaten and arrested. The security forces did not allow more than two thousands people who had come to the park to join the event and arrested tens of activists and organizers and shut down the event before it actually started. According to various reports, the arrested labour activists include: Ms. Maryam Mohseni, and Messrs Behrouz Khabaz, Jafar Azimzadeh and Shahpour Ehsani-rad…. A more accurate and detailed report will be issued shortly.

The intelligence forces brutally attacked the event’s participants including women and children, by baton and tear gas etc., and forced hundreds of people out of the park. At this time, 8 PM, the park is surrounded by hundreds of security forces and those arrested have been transferred to police stations in Tehran.

May Day rally in City of Sanandaj was also attacked by security forces and plain clothes officers and many were beaten and arrested.

More updates will be issued soon.

Sources: Human Rights Activists in Iran and Free Union of Workers in Iran

For more information:

info@workers-iran.org or alliance@workers-iran.org
International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)
www.workers-iran.org

The May Day Organizing Committee