Iran's protesters turned their anger towards former US President Donald Trump in the aftermath of a devastating government crackdown on anti-government protests that left thousands dead. The chants at demonstrations were full of anti-Khamenei and pro-Shah sentiments.
But some protesters, including a 70-year-old father who took his parents to their first-ever protest, reported seeing snipers on rooftops and mounted machine guns on the backs of pickups, as well as tear gas used by security forces.
These images are reminiscent of what hundreds of bodies in body bags began leaking out of the country despite an internet shutdown and laws banning the sharing of videos related to the protests.
HRANA estimates that more than 42,000 people have been arrested since the protests started, with human rights groups warning prisoners could be subject to arbitrary executions.
Three weeks after the violence, Iran has fallen silent even as the internet sputters back to life. There are no chants or protests now, and people are scared and staying home because of the heavy security presence on the streets.
Some protesters have turned to Trump as a source of hope. S., a young professional who participated in previous protests, said that without international intervention she didn't think anyone else would continue to stand against government bullets.
But some protesters, including a 70-year-old father who took his parents to their first-ever protest, reported seeing snipers on rooftops and mounted machine guns on the backs of pickups, as well as tear gas used by security forces.
These images are reminiscent of what hundreds of bodies in body bags began leaking out of the country despite an internet shutdown and laws banning the sharing of videos related to the protests.
HRANA estimates that more than 42,000 people have been arrested since the protests started, with human rights groups warning prisoners could be subject to arbitrary executions.
Three weeks after the violence, Iran has fallen silent even as the internet sputters back to life. There are no chants or protests now, and people are scared and staying home because of the heavy security presence on the streets.
Some protesters have turned to Trump as a source of hope. S., a young professional who participated in previous protests, said that without international intervention she didn't think anyone else would continue to stand against government bullets.
I'm still trying to process what's happening in Iran 
. The images of snipers and tear gas are just heartbreaking 
. It's crazy how quickly things escalated and people got caught up in the violence 
. I'm so worried about the 42,000+ people who have been arrested 
- it's like they've lost all their rights and freedoms 
.
... but honestly, isn't he just a symbol of the same system that's oppressing them? 
I mean, what's the point of having one oppressive government if we're gonna point fingers at another leader instead of working together to bring about change? 
.
It's not that hard, right? 
It's heartbreaking that people, especially families with young children, were out protesting for the first time due to their parents' wishes 
. Now they're just staying home in fear... this is a huge concern for anyone who cares about Iran and its people 
.
the images of snipers and tear gas are literally nightmare fuel 
I feel for those 70-year-old dad who took his parents to their first protest, that's so brave 
it's like Iran is in this really bad state right now and nobody seems to be doing anything about it 
. What's really concerning is that these protests were about more than just regime change, it was about fundamental human rights and freedoms - do we care about those or are we just looking for a scapegoat? 
... but then you see the story of S., that young professional who turned to Trump as a source of hope, and it makes me think maybe there is still some light at the end of the tunnel? 
.
. Trump might be a polarizing figure for some people, but when it comes to standing up against brutal suppression of freedom and human rights, he's definitely got the right idea 
...