In Defence of Marxism

Statement No.2

Let us protest against the beatings and arrests of workers commemorating May Day in Sanandaj!

Workers and freedom-loving people:

On Tuesday, 1st of May, there was a gathering in front of the Labour Relations Office in Sanandaj [Iranian Kurdistan] to commemorate May Day. Even though those gathered were commemorating May Day peacefully, they were attacked by the security forces and about 20 of the workers taking part were arrested.

During the past few days, because of the effect of protests by the families of the arrested and labour activists, the majority of the arrested have been released. But two of them are still detained.

Through this statement we ask the struggling workers, teachers, writers and university students to protest against the arrests and the violence that was meted out by the police against the workers commemorating May Day in Sanandaj. It is the right of workers of every country to be able to have independent and free May Day commemorations.

We also ask that independent labour organisations around the world respond strongly against the recent arrests in Iran and, by reacting towards the fate of their fellow workers in Iran, to show their class solidarity.

Co-operation Council of Labour Organisations and Activists
10 May 2007

1- Committee for the Pursuit of the Creation of Free Labour Organisations
2- Co-ordination Committee for the Creation of Labour Organisations
3- Workers' Cultural and Support Organisation
4- The Union of Labour Committees
5- A group of Labour Activists
6- A group of Iranian University Students Demanding Freedom and Equality

Translated by Iranian Workers' Solidarity Network
May 2007.