The cancellation of speeches by Reformist figures is nothing new in Iran. In past years, hard-line groups have disrupted numerous Reformist gatherings. But now, other organizations are blocking these events before they lead to potential disturbances.

The latest such incident is the cancellation of a speech by Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Motahari. The outspoken speaker was due to deliver an address about the religious occasion of Arbaeen in Mashhad on Nov. 20, on the invitation by the Reformist Council of Khorasan Razavi province. He arrived in the northeastern city on the evening of Nov. 19, but his speech was called off the next morning, apparently by order of the provincial prosecutor-general.

Reformist lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi was one of the first to react to the cancellation. Sadeghi tweeted, “Motahari’s speech in Mashhad has been canceled. What is the Interior Ministry doing in Mashhad? The interior minister should be held accountable by parliament.”

Immediately, Iranians took to social media — especially Twitter — and used the hashtag #FreeMashhad to slam the city’s conservative Friday prayer leader, Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, over what they described as his “self-directed move.” They also called for both the city of Mashhad and the province of Khorasan Razavi to be “set free.”