Arrests fail to halt Iran protest

The Guardian: Police in Iran arrested trade unionists in an unsuccessful attempt to stop thousands of teachers protesting against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s economic policies outside Iran’s parliament, the Guardian has learned. The Guardian

Robert Tait in Tehran

Police in Iran arrested trade unionists in an unsuccessful attempt to stop thousands of teachers protesting against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s economic policies outside Iran’s parliament, the Guardian has learned.

Officers swooped on the homes of six union leaders on Wednesday. The detention of key figures in teachers’ organisations failed to stop the following day’s rally, which drew an estimated 7,000 demonstrators. The leaders were later released after interrogation. Their arrests appeared to betray official anxiety that the protest – for teachers’ pay to be brought into line with other state workers – could provoke discontent against Mr Ahmadinejad’s government, which is being blamed for rising inflation and high unemployment.