More than 45 days after the violent January crackdown in which thousands of protesters were killed, Iranian students have taken to the streets once again. As the new academic term commenced on a Saturday, students at various universities, including those in Tehran and Mashhad, demonstrated against the government despite a strong security presence. Their protests are fueled by frustration and grief, as students express that they are boycotting classes in honor of their deceased peers who lost their lives during the earlier protests.

Students articulated their motivations during the protests, with many alluding to the recent losses that have profoundly impacted their community. A notable quote from a University of Tehran student encapsulates the sentiment: 'Our classrooms are empty because the graveyards are full', highlighting the dual void of both education and life in the wake of government violence. These protests, while heavily monitored by authorities, are an assertion of the students' desire for change and a resistance against a government they see as oppressive.

The resurgence of student protests indicates a broader trend of discontent in Iranian society, where calls for social and political reform grow louder amid state reprisals. With prior protests resulting in heavy casualties and arrests, the students' brave actions in the face of adversity illustrate a profound commitment to acknowledging their fallen comrades and advocating for a future untainted by government violence and repression.