TEHRAN, Iran – Hundreds of women of all ages gathered yesterday at Tehran University to demand freedom and an end to gender discrimination in Iran.

Days before Iranians head to the polls Friday to cast their ballots in a national election, the protesters, who lacked official permission to demonstrate, defied police to make a historic plea for equal rights. This week’s presidential election is widely expected to bring victory to a cleric and former president, hard-liner Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, 70.

The women forced their way past Tehran University’s main gate and badge-wearing security guards. Riot squads attempted to prevent demonstrators from entering at various points around the campus’s perimeter, but were unable to stop the crowd from pouring in. The women paid no heed to either police or plainclothes officers recording the action on digital video.

“These women don’t care anymore. They have had it!” one man, voicing his support of the protestors, shouted at police. “Imagine being held back for so long – what’s the worst they are going to do to them? Prison? They don’t care,” he said.

The female demonstrators fearlessly spoke out against the regime.

One carried a large sign lettered in English that read “Constitution NO, Women’s Rights YES.” Others held placards bearing male and female gender symbols connected with an equal sign. Leaders chanted Persian poems that celebrated the station of women in society through megaphones. Many recited slogans demanding the release of political prisoners and held signs with the names of the incarcerated.

Some women crossed their faces with their fists to depict voiceless women as a list of demands were read.

The gathering was mainly peaceful, but police struggled to keep passersby from gawking. Empty city busses were parked to stop people across the street from catching glimpses of the women speaking out for their freedom.

As protesters began to leave the grounds, a security van followed them along with more riot police. Some women tore up campaign posters in frustration as they neared Enghelab Square, blocks away from Tehran University.

Through the van’s speakers, police announced that those who had vandalized the posters would be “taken care of.” Across the square, security forces moved in to make arrests.

Some were arrested, but the number could not be confirmed.

Protesters promised to press on and plan to hold another demonstration Thursday.