Anti-war protesters gathered outside the cable car turnaround in San Francisco to demonstrate against the U.S. and Israel-led war in Iran, before marching along Market Street on Wednesday evening.
About 100 protesters were holding signs and chanting anti-war slogans at the corner of Powell and Market streets, with some holding Iranian and Palestinian flags.
The group gathered a day after President Donald Trump announced he had agreed with Iranian leadership on a ceasefire for two weeks, though critics remain skeptical as Trump has made contradicting statements about the war since it started.
As of 7 p.m., the crowd’s size was growing near Market and McAllister streets.
Isabel, a 22-year-old San Francisco State University student who declined to give her last name due to safety concerns, said she was impressed by the number of people who showed up at the weeknight protest.
“It’s good to see familiar faces,” said Isabelle, who’s been volunteering for the Oakland Arms Embargo for the past year. “But I hope that with everything that’s happening right now, people who aren’t necessarily out on the streets… see what’s happening and take the initiative to come out. I hope to see new faces in the upcoming actions.”
Natalia Negron, 24, arrived at the protest as it was winding down in Civic Center. She had heard the event discussed in an activism group chat and decided to stop by after an afternoon of thrift shopping.
“My partner and I just moved here a year ago,” Negron said. “I’m looking to find ways to help in the city and generally just make change as much as I can.”
Check back for updates to this developing story.