She acknowledged that Iranian Americans hold a range of political views, including some who support U.S. intervention, but said she believes the future of Iran should be determined by its people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Iranian people in Iran can decide the future of their country,\u201d she said. \u201cWar, I don\u2019t think, is going to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to the crowd, Mortazavi challenged what she described as a narrative that Iranians broadly support U.S. and Israeli military action.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want you to believe that every Iranian \u2026 is cheering on the United States and Israel,\u201d she said. \u201cThat is unequivocally false.\u201d<\/p>\n
She urged attendees to continue organizing beyond the rally and announced plans for additional demonstrations.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/022826_IRAN-BAY-AREA-RESPONSE_GH_008-KQED.jpg\")
A demonstrator holds an Iranian flag as protesters gather outside the San Francisco Federal Building during a \u201cHands Off Iran\u201d rally Feb. 28, 2026, in San Francisco. The demonstration called for an end to U.S. involvement in the strikes on Iran. (Gustavo Hernandez\/KQED)<\/p>\n
Dina Saadeh, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, said multiple groups mobilized quickly in response to the strikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m angered today,\u201d Saadeh told KQED. \u201cPeople here don\u2019t want to see our country engaged in more endless war.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saadeh described the protest as part of a broader effort to oppose sanctions, military escalation and what she called U.S. imperialism. She said participants were calling on elected officials to redirect public funds toward domestic needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople want money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n