LA protests U.S. bombing of Iran sites
Several dozen demonstrators took to the streets in Los Angeles to oppose the U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. The city is home to a significant Iranian-American community, and the protests coincided with President Donald Trump's comments about regime change in Iran, as senior officials warned Tehran against retaliation. Demonstrations occurred at Los Angeles City Hall and outside the Wilshire Federal Building, where armed soldiers were present.
The weekend's rallies attracted thousands of Iranian-Americans and anti-war activists, gathering at locations like Pershing Square and City Hall to show solidarity with Iranians and oppose potential military escalation. The crowd was diverse, including Muslims, Jews, and secular Iranians, reflecting a community deeply connected to events in Iran.
The demonstrations revealed mixed perspectives within the community. While some Iranian Jewish-Americans supported U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, viewing them as necessary, many Iranian Muslims and anti-war advocates urged caution, fearing civilian suffering and opposing deeper U.S. involvement. Protesters, including youth with no direct ties to Iran, called for regime change, democratic reforms, and an end to war, with some advocating for congressional support of the No War Against Iran Act.
Concerns about safety and family weighed heavily on participants, leading many to remain anonymous due to fears of repercussions for relatives in Iran. Overall, the Los Angeles protests highlighted a community at a crossroads, united in the desire for change and peace but divided on the means to achieve it.
Throughout the rally, concerns about safety and the well-being of family members in Iran weighed heavily on participants. The demonstrations underscored a community at a crossroads—united in their desire for change and peace, yet divided on the means to achieve those goals, whether through military action or diplomatic efforts aimed at civilian protection.
