Original Source: iranhumanrights.org
In November 2019, Iran witnessed a devastating crackdown on peaceful protesters, known as “Bloody November.” Triggered by a dramatic rise in fuel prices, discontent erupted into a national outcry against economic strife, corruption, and repression. In response, the state unleashed a torrent of violence—thousands were killed, injured, or arrested, with many unreported. Amid a near-total internet blackout, evidence of this harsh reality remained hidden, but some courageous photojournalists persevered to capture lasting images of this historic tragedy.
A poignant collection of photographs, unveiled by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), sheds light on this brutal state response. Despite the risks, fearless Iranian photojournalists documented the chaos and sorrow on the streets during this chaotic upheaval. They faced monumental challenges: limited communication, intense suppression, and severe consequences for their craft, yet they salvaged fragments of truth from the depths of state-imposed darkness.
Witnessing the protests firsthand, one photographer recounted the palpable tension in the air as people rallied defiantly against corruption and injustice. Amid clouds of tear gas and fires set by protesters, they aimed to reclaim their dignity. The atmosphere was thick with smoke and anger, where expressions of resistance dulled sharply against the backdrop of state violence.
Another photographer illustrated the spirit of unity among protesters, who complemented each other’s efforts to oppose oppression. They worked boots-on-the-ground, dismantling security cameras, blocking roads, and setting fires to counteract the tear gas. Their focus remained on confronting symbols of authority, starkly avoiding harm to innocent bystanders. November became an uprising of the marginalized, a raw testament to their unyielding resilience and courage.
The images also reveal nightmarish scenes of brutality, as security forces mercilessly detained and assaulted those who dared to protest. A heavy-handed response saw forces firing tear gas and using batons to control the crowd. For many courageous photographers, capturing the truth meant risking their lives and safety, underscoring the challenges of documenting state violence in a repressive regime.
“Bloody November” refers to a period of intense unrest in Iran in 2019 that erupted after a sudden fuel price hike. The protests highlighted broader issues of economic hardship, systemic corruption, and social injustice. The Islamic Republic’s violent crackdown led to significant casualties, with numerous arrests and human rights violations. The near-total internet blackout imposed during the protests severely limited the dissemination of information and documentation, obscuring the severity of the state’s actions from the public eye. This collection of photographs aims to reveal the reality of these events through the lens of courageous Iranian photojournalists who risked their safety to bear witness to the protests.
The commemorative photographic collection from the 2019 protests courageously exposes the brutal realities faced by Iranian protesters. It serves both as a reminder of the fierce struggles for justice and human rights in Iran and highlights the valiant efforts of photojournalists who risked everything to document these atrocities. As the Iranian people’s fight for freedom continues, these images encapsulate the resilience and determination that defines their ongoing quest for dignity and accountability in the face of oppression.
