On Wednesday, 20 May 2015, thousands of South Azerbaijanis gathered in Tabriz Takhti Arena, Bagshomal Avenue and the Saat Squire to protest the central government’s bigoted policies against Azerbaijan. Next to president Hassan Rohani’s speech in Tabriz Takhti Arean thousands of Turkic citizens marched through Baghshomal Avenue towards the Saat Squire chanting “ Long live Azerbaijan” demanding right of education in their mother language and restoration of diminishing lake Urmu. The peaceful protests turned violent by the oppressive intervention of security forces and the Riot Police and several people were arrested.

During the official ceremony, the Azerbaijani protesters frequently interrupted the speech of Ayetollah Mojtehed Shabetari, the Supreme Leader’s envoy to East Azerbaijan Province. The protesters also disturbed the president’s speech by chanting “Rohani, Rohani, what happened to your promises?” criticizing him for undelivered pledges he had made.

Rohani had undertaken to immediately avert Lake Urmu’s disappearance; to execute the article 15th of Iranian constitution which allows education in native languages; and to establish a Turkic Language and Cultural Academy, none of which has been delivered.

Throughout the ceremony thousands of participants raised banners demanding the implementation of the “right to education in native language” and “the restoration of Lake Urmia.” They also showed red cards symbolizing the conspiracy of the biased Persian referee against Tractor. The Red Card also intended to send a clear message to the president that people of South Azerbaijan are fed-up with increasing racism and evident discrimination against Turks in Iran.

In his speech the president mentioned that “Tractor does not only belong to you, the people of Azerbaijan, Tractor also belongs to all of Iran and we wish to see its victory in Asian Leagues”.
“No one can play with the sentiments of the people of Azerbaijan and great Tabriz. If anyone is at fault in the mishap, do not doubt that the government will stand with all the power to punish him.” added the president.

The president made no mention of education in native language or establishment of Turkic Academy which he had pledged to deliver in his election campaigns, however, he claimed that “the government has been executing some policies such as closure of illegal wells and cultivation to restore Lake Urmu and claimed that the lake’s condition is better in comparison to two years ago.”