Iraqis Mark One Year Anniversary Of Protest Movement And Voice Frustration

(NINA)

Iraqis came out into the streets of several Iraqi cities on October 1 to commemorate the one year anniversary of the protest movement. Many voiced frustration at not having their demands being met by the government.

 

There were demonstrations in Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, Muthanna, Maysan, Wasit, and Kirkuk. Al Mada talked to activists the day before and they were upset that so little had changed. Their major demands were a new government, early elections, amending the constitution, fighting corruption, and prosecuting the killers of protesters. Many of the marchers carried pictures of their dead friends and relatives for instance. Out of that list only a new administration has been formed. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi has called for voting in June 2021 but there are many reports that the ruling parties are opposed to that date out of fear that they will lose power.

 

Overall, protests have changed during the summer. There are very few demonstrations over politics. Most are over economic issues like jobs and the government not paying public workers. After shootings by government forces along with threats and assassinations by pro-Iran groups the demonstrations seemed to dissipate. It’s unclear if October 1 marks the return of large gatherings or not.

 

SOURCES

 

Aldroubi, Mina, “’We want a nation’: Iraqis gather in Baghdad on protest anniversary,” The National, 10/1/20

 

Asharq Al-Awsat, “PM’s Call for Elections Sparks Unprecedented Political Race in Iraq,” 8/2/20

 

Al Hurra, “Iraqi election law is faltering … loyalists to Iran seek to thwart Al-Kazemi’s plans,” 9/22/20

 

Al Mada, “Representative on legal committee: political blocs trying to exploit differences to postpone the elections,” 9/20/20

- “They said nothing of our demands has been met .. Tishreen youth, hours before the memorial: The martyrs are on top of the squares,” 10/1/20

 

Mahmoud, Sinan, “’We will be back’: Iraqis return to rekindle protest movement on anniversary,” The National, 9/30/20

 

Al Mirbad, “A demonstration in Kut to commemorate the martyrs of October,” 10/1/20

- “Dhi Qar .. carried symbolic coffins to demand accountability for the killers of the demonstrators,” 10/1/20

- “A march in Maysan remembers the martyrs of the October demonstrations,” 10/1/20

- “Stops in Basra and Muthanna to commemorate the martyrs of the October demonstrations,” 10/1/20

 

New Sabah, “Political blocs trying to obstruct the election law .. It does not serve their interests in its current form,” 9/30/20

 

NINA, “Demonstrators Call For Passing A New Law For Early Elections,” 10/1/20

- “A Gathering In Front Of Kirkuk Governorate Building On The First Anniversary Of October Revolution,” 10/1/20

- “Political Analyst to NINA: Most of the political forces do not want early elections to take place, and they will hinder their conduct,” 8/30/20

- “A Student March In Tahrir Square Demanding The Prosecution Of Protesters’ Killers,” 10/1/20