Dozens of anti-war protesters filled the intersection of Broadway and 16th Street in Sacramento on Monday, joining coordinated demonstrations in cities across the country after the Trump administration launched strikes on Iran.
Organizers said they feared the attack could pull the United States into a broader war in the Middle East.
Chants of “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air — U.S. out of everywhere” echoed through the street as cars honked in support.
Soulana Glass with the Democratic Socialists of America helped organize the Sacramento rally. She said the U.S. should focus on domestic challenges instead of escalating conflict overseas.
“There is no reason that the U.S. should be meddling into foreign affairs when we are struggling so much here domestically,” Glass said. “Human dignity is worth more than whatever capital they hope to gain from another forever war in the Middle East.”
Margie Harrell, 46, said she attended the protest to prevent what she sees as unnecessary bloodshed.
“I started as an activist for my children and it’s just grown to be an activist for everyone’s children,” Hrarrel said. “These children that are dying in Gaza and Iran now — I’m just beside myself with grief as a mother.”
Harrell said she’s disappointed with members of Congress from both parties, calling their responses to the conflict “atrocious.”
“They can talk and talk, but they won’t do anything,” she said.
Tim Sandoval, 72, is a Vietnam War veteran. He said the U.S. should avoid wars that prop up what he described as “corrupt governments.”
“All we do is we end up creating more and more people that hate our guts,” Sandoval said. “They don’t think democracy is such a great idea when they’re busy being bombed and shot. It makes no sense.”
Sandoval added that he believes the conflict is driven by oil interests.
The Trump administration has defended the strikes, citing concerns about regime change, terrorism and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, critics say the administration’s messaging has been inconsistent in the days since the attacks.
Monday’s rally in Sacramento was part of a broader national response spearheaded by the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) Coalition.
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