US airstrike in Iraq prompts anti-war protests in US and UK

Protesters held signs that read "No war or sanctions on Iran!" and "US troops out of Iraq!"

Anti-war activists hold banners during a protest organised by ‘CodePink’ in front of the White House on 4 January, 2020 in Washington, United States [Yasin Öztürk/Anadolu Agency]

Anti-war activists hold banners during a protest organised by ‘CodePink’ in front of the White House following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on January 4, 2020 in Washington, United States [Yasin Öztürk / Anadolu Agency]

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell speaks during an anti-war rally following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on January 04, 2020 at Downing Street in London, United Kingdom [İlyas Tayfun Salcı / Anadolu Agency]

Anti-war activists take part in a protest organised by ‘Answer Coalition’ at Times Square following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on January 4, 2020 in New York, United States [Tayfun Coşkun / Anadolu Agency]

Anti-war activists hold banners during a protest in front of the White House following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US air strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on 4 January 2020 in Washington, US [Yasin Öztürk/Anadolu Agency]

Groups of protesters took to the streets in Washington, New York and Lonon on Saturday to condemn the air strike in Iraq ordered by President Donald Trump that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and Trump’s decision to send about 3,000 more troops to the Middle East, reports Reuters and Anadolu Agency.

“No justice, no peace. US out of the Middle East,” hundreds of demonstrators chanted outside the White House before marching to the Trump International Hotel a few blocks away.

Similar protests were held in New York, Chicago and other cities. Organisers at Code Pink, a women-led anti-war group, said protests were scheduled on Saturday in numerous US cities and towns.

Protesters in Washington held signs that read “No war or sanctions on Iran!” and “US troops out of Iraq!”

Speakers at the Washington event included actress and activist Jane Fonda, who last year was arrested at a climate change protest on the steps of the US Capitol.

Read: Iraq parliament passes resolution to expel US troops

“The younger people here should know that all of the wars fought since you were born have been fought over oil,” Fonda, 82, told the crowd, adding that “we can’t anymore lose lives and kill people and ruin an environment because of oil.”

“Going to a march doesn’t do a lot, but at least I can come out and say something: that I’m opposed to this stuff,” said protestor Steve Lane of Bethesda, Maryland. “And maybe if enough people do the same thing, he (Trump) will listen.”

Soleimani, regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran, was killed in the US strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport on Friday in a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East between Iran and the United States and its allies. Thousands mourned his death in Iraq, Iran and Gaza. The Pentagon accused Soleimani of plotting the embassy attack and planning to carry out additional attacks on US diplomats and service members in Iraq and the region.

Showing no signs of seeking to reduce tensions, the US president has since issued a stern threat to Iran on Twitter, saying that the US has targeted 52 Iranian sites that it would strike if Iran attacks Americans or US assets in response to the US drone strike that killed Soleimani. He later added that the US will use ‘new’ equipment to strike Iran.

Public opinion polls show Americans in general have been opposed to US military interventions overseas. A survey last year by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found 27% of Americans believe military interventions make the United States safer, and nearly half said they make the country less safe.

Anti-war activists hold banners during a protest in front of the White House following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani by a US air strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on 4 January 2020 in Washington, US [Yasin Öztürk/Anadolu Agency]

Anti-war activists hold banners during a protest organised by ‘CodePink’ in front of the White House following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on 4 January 2020 in Washington, United States [Yasin Öztürk / Anadolu Agency]

A demonstrator holds a banner reading “No War With Iran” during an anti-war rally following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US air strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on 4 January 2020 [İlyas Tayfun Salcı/Anadolu Agency]

People take part in an anti-war rally following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on January 04, 2020 at Downing Street in London, United Kingdom [İlyas Tayfun Salcı / Anadolu Agency]

People hold banners reading “No War With Iran – Down With Imperialism” during an anti-war rally following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by a US airstrike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, on January 04, 2020 at Downing Street in London, United Kingdom [İlyas Tayfun Salcı / Anadolu Agency]

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