Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
About 100 people gathered outside the Colonial Building in St. John’s on Saturday for an anti-war rally. They were met with some counter-protesters, highlighting different views on the Iran war.
The rally — organized by Palestine Action YYT and other social justice groups — was joined by members of the Iranian community, including Elham Zamani.
She said other rallies in St. John’s haven’t represented the viewpoints of all Iranians.
“I am here to raise the voices of millions of Iranians who believe that intervention — military intervention — doesn’t bring any democracy for them,” said Zamani.
WATCH | This Iranian woman shares her perspective on the Iran War:
Anti-war protest highlights different perspectives on Iran war
In downtown St. John’s, anti-war protesters rallied against foreign military intervention in Iran, Palestine, Lebanon — and the world. One Iranian organizer said the demonstration displayed the complexity in Iranian viewpoints about the current conflict — all wanting peace, but by different means. The CBC’s Julia Israel reports.
Earlier this year, members of the Iranian community in St. John’s began rallying outside city hall to show their solidarity with protests in Iran. They also cheered military attacks by the United States and Israel, which they hoped would bring an end to the regime.
Zamani said those rallies didn’t represent the views of all Iranians.
“I wish that this war ends as soon as possible, and after that Iranians can decide [for] themselves…about their futures, about their governments,” she said.
Counter-protesters demonstrate near rally
While Zamani spoke to the crowd, counter-protesters shouted nearby.
One counter-protester said she felt the anti-war rally supported the Islamic republic.
“The Islamic regime is the actual enemy of my country. They are killing my people,” said Azadeh Hadad.
Hadad lived in Iran for 32 years. She said the U.S. and Israel’s military intervention is helping Iranians.
Azadeh Hadad counter-protests along with about five other people. (Abby Cole/CBC)
“It is really unfortunate, but it is the way for this regime… to be wiped out, so actual people can come to the street freely and say what they want,” she said.
‘War cannot drive out war’
Sobia Shaikh is co-chair of the Anti-Racism Coalition of N.L. She said she attended the rally to speak out against war, and noted there were similarities between the two groups at Saturday’s gathering.
“They’re fed up and scared of the repression that’s happening inside of Iran, and I think we’re also concerned about that,” she said.
But Shaikh said she doesn’t agree with military intervention.
“I believe that war is never the answer.”
Sobia Shaikh, co-chair of the Anti-Racism Coalition of N.L., and Canadian veteran Mark Nichols both attended the anti-war rally to speak against U.S. and Israel military action in the Middle East. (Abby Cole/CBC)
Canadian veteran Mark Nichols said he came to the rally to speak against all acts of war.
He said he doesn’t think military action will create positive change in Iran.
“War cannot drive out war. Only peace can do that,” he said.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.