Small protests against the US attack in Iran sprouted up over the weekend
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US Marines standing guard as demonstrators protested against the US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, at a federal building in Los Angeles on June 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Bernard Mokam
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NEW YORK - Protesters in more than a dozen US cities demonstrated on June 22 against the Trump administration’s air strikes on Iran
Some rallies attracted hundreds, while others drew dozens. The overall turnout was far less than last weekend’s “No Kings” protests
Many of the June 22 demonstrations, held in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles, were arranged late on June 21 and had been described by organisers as “emergency mobilisations”.
Demonstrators at several locations carried Iranian flags, and some held signs and placed banners across fences and buildings that read “No War in Iran!”
Outside the gates of the White House in Washington, at least 200 demonstrators condemned the President, including some veterans.
“He’s trying to become a king,” said Mr Ron Carmichael, 78, who flew helicopters in the Vietnam War.
In Chicago, more than 200 people attended a rally downtown.
Mr Ali Tarokh, a resident who said he emigrated from Iran 12 years ago after being imprisoned for political activities for two years, described the news of the air strikes as “the worst thing that could have happened”.
Although he opposes the Iranian leadership, Mr Tarokh said slow change was the only way to reform the government.
“Regime change is kind of impossible over there,” he said, adding that Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have only impeded any transition to a democratic society.
Some protesters said that the escalating conflict with Iran would further the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In Los Angeles, Ms Noor Abdel-Haq, a 26-year-old nurse, said she came out because of her personal ties to the tensions in the Middle East. Most of her family lives in Gaza or the West Bank, she said. “We don’t want more murder and destruction.”
Ms Abdel-Haq was among the scores of people who assembled in the Westwood neighbourhood in a peaceful demonstration. Nearby, a small contingent of Marines and federal agents stood wearing tactical gear and carrying rifles.
In 36.7 deg C heat in Richmond, Virginia, Ms Violeta Vega, 23, an in-home care worker and a leader of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Richmond, led protesters at Abner Clay Park in chants that included “Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation”.
The crowd numbered in the dozens. After the rally, her voice raspy, Ms Vega said the gathering was necessary.
“I felt empowered knowing that this was a day of action around the country,” she said. NYTIMES
