Citizens across the United States have staged demonstrations in over a dozen cities to protest the Trump administration’s airstrikes on Iran. According to The New York Times online edition, many of Sunday’s rallies in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, and Los Angeles were hastily organised on Saturday night as “emergency protests.”
The protests saw varying turnouts—from hundreds to smaller gatherings—significantly fewer than last week’s “No Kings” demonstrations across 50 states. Protesters carried Iranian flags and signs reading “Stop the War on Iran.” Outside the White House gates, around 200 demonstrators, including war veterans and anti-war activists, voiced their opposition.
Ron Carmichael, a 78-year-old Vietnam War helicopter pilot, criticised Trump: “He wants to be a king. This is no way for a democratic leader to behave!”
In Chicago, over 200 gathered downtown. Ali Tarokh, an Iranian immigrant who fled political imprisonment 12 years ago, shared: “This airstrike was the worst possible news. I oppose Iran’s current government, but change must come gradually—forced regime change is impossible.” He accused Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu of “blocking Iran’s path to potential democracy.”
Many protesters feared escalating US-Iran tensions would worsen Palestinian suffering in Gaza. In Los Angeles, 26-year-old nurse Noor Abdel-Haq, with family in Gaza and the West Bank, pleaded: “We don’t want more killings or destruction.”
In Richmond, Virginia, 23-year-old home-care worker Violeta Vega led a protest in 98°F heat at Abner Clay Park, chanting: “Fund jobs and education, not war and occupation!” The local Party for Socialism and Liberation leader declared: “I feel empowered seeing nationwide resistance today.”