Dozens of protesters gathered outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening to rally against the United States and Israel's attacks on Iran, with demonstrators urging the Trump administration not to enter into another prolonged war in the Middle East.
Joint military strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on Saturday morning have triggered a sharp escalation across the Middle East in recent days, setting off waves of missile exchanges, mounting casualties, and far-reaching political and security repercussions.
Amid fears that the crisis could spiral further out of control, crowds gathered outside the White House to make their opposition to the conflict heard.
Many chanted slogans and held aloft signs urging politicians to remember the difficult history of U.S. interventions in the Middle East, with many saying the current situation draws unwanted parallels to the disastrous U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Protesters said that the Iraq War not only caused significant bloodshed and sacrifice for the Iraqi people and the entire Middle East region but also posed a security threat to the American people that has lasted for decades.
They urged the U.S. government not to wage a new war based on lies in the Middle East.
"The United States government is starting another war, just like they have done in the past in Iraq, in Syria, in Libya, in Lebanon and so on. And every area that they have started and they left, they left it in civil wars, and (separated) and literally doing nothing but making the people in different groups fight with one another. So wars never bring any peace. They don't bring justice. Justice is when you sit on a table as a mediator and you reach agreements," said Sam, a protester.
Some expressed grave concern over the legality of the strikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, while others called on the U.S. government to pay more attention to the demands of the American people rather than spending money on meaningless overseas wars.
"Under U.S. law, the president doesn't have the right to declare war. Only Congress can do that, and the American people don't want war," said a protester named Rebecca.
"My sign says: 'Spend our money on Medicaid, not bombs'. It's not our business," said Lori, another protester, as she showed off her placard.
Demonstrators gather outside White House to protest against US strikes on Iran
Demonstrators gather outside White House to protest against US strikes on Iran
