Chants of “Hands off the Middle East” and many others could be heard at a protest and march Saturday that started in Times Square, as hundreds of demonstrators came together to express outrage and other concerns that stemmed from this weekend’s massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran.

 

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Hundreds of protesters gathered in Times Square Saturday afternoon against the military strike against Iran by the United States and Israel

That rally led to a march that ended with more protest activity at Columbus Circle

There was also small protest activity outside United Nations Saturday. Organizers say a larger rally is expected to draw more than 2,000 Iranian-Americans Sunday afternoon outside the U.N.

 

“It’s good that there is loud, vocal support for peace,” said protester Josh Kaitan Lucas. “However, it’s unconscionable that we have to continuously come out en masse to protest some of the abhorrent actions of this administration.”

“I’m scared about another endless war,” said co-organizer Layan Fuleihan, with the group The People’s Forum. “I think that will only bring death and destruction to the world, and it will also be not good for the people inside the United States. But I feel hopeful. People from all walks of life came out today.”

Chants of “Hands off Iran now” were also heard at the rally, which eventually saw protesters taking their message to the street, marching about a mile from Times Square to Columbus Circle.

“The feelings are feelings of sadness and frustration and rage and overwhelming grief,” said protester Valerie Gaza of Forest Hills.

The volatile situation in Iran compelled several people to head to the United Nations, where the U.N. Security Council gathered Saturday for an emergency session.

Two men of Iranian descent, who left their home country a few years ago, were pleased to learn of the military action that had been taken against Iran, while offering harsh criticism of that country’s supreme leader.

“We are happy because this is like humanitarian intervening, and then done by the USA, joint USA and Israel, and all people are happy in Iran,” said one man. “I have a contact with my friend and then they are so happy. They are on the street now.”

Trump posted on social media that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack, saying, “one of the most evil people in history is dead.” Iranian state media confirmed his death later in the day.

“He is a very bad guy,” said the other man of Iranian descent outside the United Nations. “He has killed thousands of Iranians. He is not Iranian. I never see that as any leadership in Iran is killing the own people.”

As a precautionary measure, the NYPD maintained a presence on Manhattan’s East Side, outside of sensitive locations that are close to the U.N. Officers could be seen outside the Israeli consulate on Second Avenue and by the Permanent Mission of Iran to the United Nations on Third Avenue.

A rally is expected to take place Sunday afternoon that starts at United Nations before a march on foot towards Times Square. Organizers anticipate more than 2,000 Iranian-Americans and their supporters to show up for what is being billed as a March for Freedom.