CHICAGO — A surge of anti-war sentiment rippled through downtown Chicago over the weekend as demonstrators gathered to protest recent U.S. military airstrikes in Tehran, which were carried out in coordination with Israel and targeted Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities.
The protest began Sunday afternoon at Federal Plaza, where participants raised signs and chanted in opposition to what they described as reckless foreign aggression. The march moved through the Loop, drawing attention from bystanders and commuters alike.
Community Members Speak Out
Among the speakers was Ali Reza, an Iranian immigrant who voiced his unease with both the Iranian regime and the U.S.–Israeli military action. Reza told the Chicago Sun-Times,
“This is not the people’s war — they’re going to be massacred because of the government’s reactionary attempts to expand.”
Another protester, Jenna Ja, called for increased congressional oversight and denounced the U.S. involvement as tacit support of Israel’s escalating role in the conflict.
Organizers Push for Peace Over War
The protest was spearheaded by the No War on Iran Coalition, alongside local allies such as the Gay Liberation Network. In a fiery statement, Andy Thayer, cofounder of the network, criticized both Republican and Democratic leaders:
“Donald Trump and all his Democratic Party enablers have just succeeded in making the United States and Israel the two most hated countries in the world — and for good damn reason.”
The rally emphasized a need to de-escalate through diplomacy, not warfare. Demonstrators warned that the recent military moves risk deepening global instability and harming innocent civilians.
More Protests Planned Across the Week
Organizers announced that additional rallies will take place throughout the week, starting Monday at 5 p.m., aiming to amplify calls for non-military resolutions.
Ali Farouk, speaking on behalf of the Iranian American Council, summarized the community’s demands:
“Diplomacy is the only solution.”
Tensions Rise Amid Global Reaction
The strikes — which came amid ongoing concerns over Iran’s nuclear capabilities — have sparked outrage both abroad and at home. Demonstrators in Chicago say this response sets a dangerous precedent, one that risks triggering further military entanglements and alienating global allies.
The protests reflect a growing local concern over the direction of U.S. foreign policy — one many residents hope will pivot toward peaceful negotiation rather than sustained conflict.
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