More than 100 people gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Monday to protest the United States-Israeli military attack on Iran. This demonstration was one of over 40 protests organized by the ANSWER Coalition in cities nationwide in response to the outbreak of war on Saturday, which quickly escalated throughout the Middle East. More anti-war protests are planned for this Saturday.
“We need to end this war abroad in Iran,” said Paul Ramirez of Sylmar, one of several speakers at the March 2 rally in front of LA City Hall.
Ramirez, a member of the Peace and Freedom Party, urged the crowd to build on what he viewed as the recent success of the anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. to push for an end to the war in Iran.
“They [the Donald Trump administration] removed Rick Bovino [the commander-at-large of the Border Patrol],” he added. “They retreated hundreds of immigration agents from Minneapolis.”
Ramirez also highlighted the Jan. 30 National Day of Action, known as the “National Shutdown” or “ICE Out,” which protested the expanded federal immigration enforcement and mass deportation policies, along with the eventual end of Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. “That is the power of our movement,” Ramirez said.
On Feb. 28, Trump launched a military operation against Iran, referred to as Operation Epic Fury. This operation involved extensive airstrikes and naval actions aimed at Iranian military infrastructure, leadership and nuclear facilities. Since the beginning of the conflict, Trump and his administration have offered various and often contradictory justifications for the attack. These justifications have ranged from claims of nuclear and missile threats to the need for preemptive defense and aspirations for regime change.
Also, in the weeks leading up to the launch of Operation Epic Fury, Trump repeatedly threatened military action against the Iranian regime in response to its violent crackdown on nationwide protests, which ultimately resulted in the killing of thousands, reportedly between 5,000 and 20,000 people.
“It’s laughable that Trump says he cares about human rights,” said Iranian-born protester Ali Zarrabi of Westwood. “In reality, all that matters is oil, control and gold, which Iran has a lot of. All that matters is money. Nobody ever really cares about human rights.”
Others protested, holding signs that read “No U.S. War in the Middle East,” “Money for People’s Needs, Not War with Iran,” and “America First, Not Israel, Free America.” They chanted slogans like “No War on Iran.”
Zarrabi held a large picture of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the Israeli military. “He was an 86 year old who is revered by 300 million Shia muslims,” said Zarrabi, adding, “Killing him was a big mistake.”
He further noted that the assassination would not change Iranian policy, stating, “It has caused much pain and has backfired, with the Iranian military attacking nine countries. I’m here protesting because I cannot believe they did that.”
Shani Ebadi, an organizer with ANSWER Coalition, warned that the attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel could engulf the Middle East. “Over the past few days, we have seen Trump wage attacks against the country of Iran. We have seen Israel strike Lebanon today,” said Ebadi on Monday. “The people have been in the streets to demand no war on Iran.”
Media reports by press time indicate that approximately 1,100 civilians have been killed. A missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab reportedly resulted in the deaths of between 115 and 175 people, many of whom were children. Furthermore, over 5,400 individuals have been injured.
“Trump is about to threaten to bring us to the brink of another regional war at the expense of hundreds of lives of Iranians,” Ebadi said. “Three U.S. service members have already been killed in strikes. We are demanding no war.
Iran has conducted drone and missile attacks on targets in nearly a dozen Middle Eastern countries in retaliation for strikes from the U.S. and Israel. The targeted countries include Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Cyprus.
Ebadi emphasized that “a trillion dollars of taxpayer funds are spent on war and violence abroad,” which could instead be invested in American needs. “We need that money to stay right here at home. Just imagine what a trillion dollars could do to support our housing, health care and public education.”
Protests were also held in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Sacramento on Monday.
More than 60 cities are expected to hold “Stop the War on Iran” protests on March 7, according to a list posted on the ANSWER Coalition website. In Southern California, cities such as LA, Ventura and Riverside will participate.
Ramirez said he will not be able to attend the demonstrations this weekend but looks forward to joining another national protest, “No Kings Day,” later this month. This will be the third nationwide mobilization of its kind against Trump’s second administration, organized by a coalition that includes MoveOn, Indivisible, and the 50501 Movement.
The previous “No Kings Day” events held on June 14 and Oct. 18 attracted millions of participants – 5 million and 7 million, respectively.
While the focus of “No Kings Day” has been on Trump’s expansive powers, the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East will also be included in the protesters’ grievances. “The Iran War will be among my many reasons to demonstrate against Trump on March 28,” Ramirez said.