WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thousands recently gathered around the world to protest Israel’s attack on Iran and to protest any potential U.S. involvement in attacking the Islamic Republic.
From the United Kingdom to the Hague in the Netherlands to San Jose, California, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to New York City, to the nation’s capital, people took to the streets on June 18 to say, “Hands off Iran.” The demonstrations took place before news broke days later that the U.S. had carried out the bombing of nuclear sites in the Muslim country.
“After having committed genocide in Gaza for nearly two years, the Israeli regime is now igniting an even wider war across the Middle East with its unprovoked attack against Iran.
But the people of this country have nothing to gain and so much to lose if the warmongers get their way,” explained the ANSWER Coalition, one of the D.C. and U.S. march organizers.
Protesters braved looming thunderstorms in D.C. to say, “No U.S. war in Iran.” They gathered in front of the White House to warn and caution that bombs don’t discriminate. While Israel claims to target nuclear facilities, residential areas in Iran have also been hit.
The New York Times reported that hundreds of civilians in Iran have been killed by missiles and drones that hit high-rise buildings and multistory apartment complexes.
According to news reports, the Iranian Ministry of Health said at least 224 people had been killed and nearly 2,000 injured, including women and children. Dr. Hossein Kermanpour, the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said 90% of casualties were civilians, not military.
“I just had to come and do my part to say to President (Donald) Trump, please don’t get involved in Israel’s war. I supported Trump. He said he would end the wars not escalate the wars,” Mary Robinson from Alexandria, Virginia, told The Final Call.
“I’m disappointed that the president is even thinking about getting involved in this war. There’s been enough bloodshed in Palestine. What else does Israel want? People are starving, children are dying and now the bombs are dropping in Tehran.”
“I lived through the Vietnam War protests,” Ms. Robinson continued. “I have friends that went to Canada to avoid the draft. America should be bringing peace to the world not more war. War is never the answer; we need peace, not bombs. That’s why I’m here, that’s why my friends are here too. We want peace.”
Iran’s Press TV Journalist Marzieh Hashemi, a Black woman from America, posted on Facebook, “I’ve had many people contacting me who I have no time to answer individually. I just want everyone to know that I am alright for now.
I hope that with what’s happening that people will finally realize how they have been lied to about Iran & Israel over the decades. U were told that Israel is a democracy and moral. With the 20 months of genocide in Gaza, u have seen what hegemony means by morality!”
She continued: “You were told how oppressive and backwards Iran is and now u see that it is Iran which has been standing up against settler colonialism & was sanctioned & demonize for it. The lines are clear now. Will you stand on the right side of history? I know that I’m happy to be where I am and doing what I do. What about you?”
News reports say more than 150,000 people took to the streets in the Netherlands. Reporting from The Hague, Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen said that the large turnout was proof that more people in the Netherlands reject their government’s support for Israel.
“While there is much frustration about the lack of action, protesters here say the focus should remain on the continuing genocide in Gaza despite Israel’s efforts to distract attention,” Mr. Vaessen said, adding that protesters also called for Israel to stop its attacks on Iran.
According to WTMJ Milwaukee, a large group of protesters gathered at Red Arrow Park in that city. The demonstrators also advocated for a ban on arms sales to Israel. Meanwhile, in New York City, the Bronx Anti-War group organized a “Solidarity with Iran” protest.