Demonstrators holding signs at the “No war on Iran” protest outside of Tampa City Hall. Photo by Leah Burdick
Conflict is spreading in the Middle East after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran during what the Pentagon calls Operation Epic Fury. Around 20 demonstrators gathered outside Tampa City Hall protesting the recent attacks on Iran. They were holding signs reading “No war on Iran” and chanting “Stop bombing Iran now.”
Demonstrators are calling for the U.S. to leave the Middle East and stay away from sovereign nations.
Demonstrator holding a sign reading “America is devouring our children.” Photo by Leah Burdick
Demonstrators chanting outside Tampa City Hall. Photo by Leah Burdick
Counter demonstrators attended the protest. Photo by Leah Burdick
Demonstrator listening to speeches. Photo by Leah Burdick
Demonstrator listening to speeches. Photo by Leah Burdick
Demonstrator holding a sign about money going to war and not for food insecurity. Photo by Leah Burdick
Sign about the death of children. Photo by Leah Burdick
Adi Kader leading chants. Photo by Leah Burdick
Sign about the death toll. Photo by Leah Burdick
Demonstrator chanting. Photo by Leah Burdick
Advocacy group holding thier sign and chanting. Photo by Leah Burdick
Tampa Police nearby in case of altercations. Photo by Leah Burdick
Adi Kader, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Tampa Bay, said the U.S. claims that the strikes were meant to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons are not true.
“Iran has not pursued nuclear weapons. Iran is a member of the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty, the NPA. And they have not been pursuing nuclear weapons. However, Israel does have nuclear weapons. They’re not a signatory of that treaty. It’s an open secret that Israel has nuclear weapons and it’s not stated and it’s not discussed whatsoever,” Kader said. “Number 2, if Donald Trump said he really did destroy these nuclear sites back in June, how can this strike be about destroying Iran’s nuclear capability again?”
Kader said the U.S. wants to destroy Iran as a sovereign country.
“That’s what the root of this is really about. They want to destroy Iran as a concept of a sovereign country that is the counterweight to U.S. domination in the Middle East and that’s what this is really about, controlling the Middle East. Controlling the resources of the mMiddle East , the lucrative gas, the lucrative oil that’s in the Middle East. They want to be in total control of that,” he said.
Other demonstrators agreed that these attacks are not about Iran’s missiles or gaining nuclear power.
Counter demonstrator Adam Francisco said he is anti-war and a Trump supporter. He said these actions are illegal. However, after he attend the pro-Trump attacks on Iran demonstration, he said it changed his viewpoint.
“Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a pro-Iran rally, people that are thanking Donald Trump. The people of Iran that lived under that regime and when they shared their story and you see them dancing int he streets all across the world, it’s tough not to side with the people of a country,” Francisco said. “When I see how happy people are and I see their tears flowing, I stand with the people of Iran and I stand with President Trump.”
Even with opposing views, the demonstration remained peaceful, as both sides voiced their differences.