Protests in Iran, 1
Vocabulary
| scene | image (3) | extraordinary |
| face off | collapse | take to the streets |
| forgive | decisively | take/took/taken |
| near | charge (3) | blackout (2) |
| warn | shut down | tell/told/told |
| severe | deal (2) | crackdown |
| science | security | tranquility |
| arrest | spark (2) | monumental |
| allege | violation | dress code |
| strict | code (3) | around (3) |
| release | show (2) | consecutive |
| deny | mistreat | beforehand |
| threat | oppose | demonstration |
| burn | morality | movement (3) |
| riot | public (2) | generation |
| bold | defiance | cut/cut/cut |
| hijab | gone (2) | life-threatening |
| risk | head scarf | young/younger/youngest |
| whole | security | lead the charge |
| isolate | rolling (2) | have had enough |
| agent | official (2) | shake/shook/shaken |
| despite | identify | make/made/made |
| accuse | believe (2) | around the world |
| clash | show (3) | demonstration |
| violent | embassy | authorities |
| crush | measure | take measures |
| dissent | block (3) | foundation |
| app | protester | leave/left/left |
| upload | struggle | crumble (2) |
| protest | traditional | authorities |
| hotbed | support | crackdown |
| violate | response | sovereignty |
| warn |
Video
Transcript
Extraordinary scenes in Iran, where protesters have taken to the streets for ten consecutive nights in defiance of an unforgiving crackdown. Threats and near internet blackout and severe warnings from the country’s leaders.
Iran’s president telling authorities they must deal decisively with those who oppose the security and tranquility. The protests, sparked by the death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini.
She had been arrested by the morality police for an alleged violation of Iran’s strict Islamic dress code. Officials released this video showing her collapsing. It’s unclear what happened beforehand.
Police took her to a hospital where she died three days later. They deny mistreating her.
Demonstrations continue. Women leading the charge and a monumental movement. They are burning their head scarves, cutting their hair in public, facing off with riot policee and walking the streets boldly without a hijab, despite the massive, possibly life-threatening risks.
Roham Alvandi, Professor of History, London School of Political Science: “This younger generation of Iranians have lived their whole life in a securitized state, a crumbling economy, a country isolated from the world.
And they have had enough.
These protests are shaking the very foundations of the Islamic Republic.”
Many arrests have been made, even during the day when protests are not happening. Security agents identifying people they believe were on the streets at night. At least 18 journalists have been arrested, many of them women.
Around the world demonstrators showing their support for the Iranian people. Protests in the US., France, Germany, and Canada. In London there were violent clashes with police outside the Iranian embassy.
Authorities here in Iran taking all measures to crush dissent, the internet all but gone, apps completely blocked, leaving protesters struggling to upload images of the rolling crackdown.
The government has also shut down universities as they are a traditional hotbed of dissent while accusing the United States of trying to violate Iran’s sovereignty over the protests, warning Washington of a response.
Questions
Iran. In video, everything is orderly, calm and stable in Iran. True or false?
Syria. Does the president of Iran wear a suit and tie? Does he support the protesters?
Azerbaijan. Can everyone in Iran use social media, upload and watch videos?
Turkey. The demonstrators are upset because of inflation and rising prices for fuel and food. Is this right or wrong? Do Iranian officials and the protesters agree about the cause of death of Mahsa Amini?
Lebanon. Are strong, young men leading the protests? Are female protesters dressed in black chadors (burkas)? What are women doing?
Iraq. Is life and the economy of Iran doing well?
Egypt. Only people in Iran are protesting. Is this correct or incorrect? Do the Iranian authorities blame the internet for causing the unrest?
Jordan. I have visited Iran. I have been to Iran. Yes or no? Have you met anyone from Iran?
Albania. Would you like to visit Iran? Are Persian carpets, rugs and art popular in your country?
Armenia. What do you associate with Iran? What comes to mind when you think of Iran?
Afghanistan. What might happen in Iran?
Georgia. What could or should the people of Iran do? What could or should foreign governments and people do?
