Irish Examiner view: People will always fight for freedom

Public protests against repressive regimes

A protester in a top reading "Respect For Iranian Women" waving a rainbow flag invades the pitch during the Fifa World Cup Group H match at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. 

The protests in Iran reached a new level of awareness at the World Cup in Qatar a couple of days ago, when a sympathetic pitch invader publicised the unrest in that country during the game between Uruguay and Portugal.

Students of history will recognise that all four nations mentioned above have current or recent experience of repressive regimes, but Iran’s are not the only street demonstrations grabbing attention in recent days. Protests against the governing authorities in Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities in China have also attracted attention from around the world.