Protesting Possible War Against Iran (Agence France-Press)
Posted February 4, 2012
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated Saturday in New York and pacifist groups took to the streets in dozens of other US and Canadian cities in a “Day of Mass Action” against a possible war with Iran.
About 500 protesters gathered in Manhattan’s Times Square and marched to the headquarters of the US mission to the United Nations and to the Israeli consulate.
“No war, no sanctions, no intervention, no assassinations,” read a banner leading the march.
The demonstrations came as Europe and the United States slapped tough new sanctions on Iran, and Israel this week launched new threats of military intervention if the Islamic republic fails to rein in its suspected nuclear development program.
There is heightened speculation that Israel is contemplating air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, fueled in part by US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s comments to the Washington Post in which he said he believes there is a “strong possibility” that Israel will launch such air strikes this spring.
Iran admits it has a nuclear program but insists it is for peaceful purposes like generating electricity.
“The actions of the Iranian government in no way justify a US war on Iran,” Debra Sweet, director of the organization “The World Can’t Wait,” told AFP at the New York march.
The protest joined efforts from a coalition of about 60 pacifist and human rights organizations.
A leaflet distributed at the New York demonstration said “in many ways, US war on Iran has already begun,” citing as examples “harsh economic sanctions” against Tehran, “killing Iranian scientists in car bombings” and that “US aircraft carriers are right off Iran’s shore.”
“I don’t know what (US President Barack) Obama will do but I do know what he has done, which is very hard sanctions that only will hurt ordinary people,” Sweet said.
In Los Angeles, activists dressed themselves in orange prison jumpsuits and wore black hoods similar to Guantanamo detainees as part of the anti-war protest there.
Other peace marches were held Saturday in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington and other US cities, according to organizers.
In Canada protests were staged in Calgary and Vancouver, and events were also planned in Britain, Ireland and India.
Protesters In NYC March Against Future Military Action Against Iran (CBS NYC)
Posted February 4, 2012
Day of Action Against War on Iran (WBA Radio)
Broadcast February 5, 2012
New Yorkers protest possible war against Iran
Posted February 5, 2012
‘No War on Iran’ protest hits Washington (PressTV)
Posted February 5, 2012
Protesters speak out against US policies toward Iran (ABC Raleigh-Durham NC)
Broadcast February 3, 2012
American protesters slam US war rhetoric against Iran (PressTV)
Posted February 4, 2012
Anti-war protesters unite in Niagara Square (WIVB)
Posted February 4, 2012
Occupy Kalamazoo celebrates Inter-Occupational Summit Assembly, protests possible war in Iran (Mlive.com)
Posted February 4, 2012
Protesters criticize sanctions against Iran (Raleigh Newsobserver)
Posted February 4, 2012
Occupy members peacefully protest threat of war with Iran (FOX Ft. Myers/Naples FL)
Posted February 4, 2012
Protestors in Waikiki proactive on possible U.S. war against Iran (KHON Hawaii)
Posted February 4, 2012
Protesters brave wintery weather for rally downtown (Des Moines Register)
Posted February 4, 2012
Group protests the US stance on Iran issues (Video from KXXV Waco)
Posted February 4, 2012
Peace activists gather for peace rally – Dallas (Deomtix.com)
Posted February 4, 2012
Members of at least eight peace groups, Dallas Peace Center, CodePINK Dallas, North Texas Veterans for Peace, CodePINK Fort Worth, Pax Christi Dallas, Occupy Dallas and North DFW 99% rally, calling for no attacks or sanctions on Iran.
Occupy Houston protesters march against a war with Iran (ABC)
Posted February 4, 2012
Protests Against Iran War Held in 80 Cities (Democracy Now!)
Posted February 6, 2012
Hundreds March In SF Against Possible War Against Iran (SFAppeal.com)
Posted February 4, 2012
Antiwar Activists Across the Country Protest War Against Iran (Antiwar.com)
Posted February 4, 2012
Protest Against US Intervention in Iran (FOX Atlanta)
Posted February 4, 2012
Portland march Sunday against war in Iran (KGW News Channel 8)
Posted February 12, 2012