A lighted sign reading “No war” was on display during a protest against a potential war with Iran. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Around 60 people gathered in front of the Oregon State Capitol Thursday night to protest a potential war with Iran.
The demonstration came a week after a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, stoking fears that another war in the Middle East could break out.
Iran retaliated Tuesday by firing more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. troops.
On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump tweeted “All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far!”
Despite an apparent de-escalation of tensions, demonstrators in Salem said they don’t know what’s going to happen.
“Trump is so mercurial that we don’t know what he’s going to do tomorrow,” Jim Ciaramitaro said.
“It was not well thought through,” Barbara Ray said. “They’re using it as a ploy to distract us from Trump’s re-election and the impeachment process.”
But many said they came Thursday because they want their opposition heard.
Will Wherity said he came “to register our opposition to the aggressive posture that the Trump administration is putting out against Iran.”
Rachel Atchison said a mass movement would be her first choice, but otherwise feels there’s little she can do.
As a recent transplant to Salem, Bonnie Tarwater said the event offered her a space for solidarity and community.
She said the United States’ arsenal of nuclear bombs and an economy based on military buildup is “just a reminder of the dangers in our world.”
A woman stands on the Capitol steps with a sign reading: “Resist capitalist imperialism.” (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
People held signs and chanted during a “No war with Iran” protest Thursday evening. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
Many people held small signs that read: “No war with Iran.” (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
People gathered in front of the Capitol Thursday, waving to passing cars while protesting a potential U.S. war with Iran. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
A woman holds a sign reading “Peace… the final frontier.” (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
People held signs and chanted during a “No war with Iran” protest Thursday evening. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
People held signs and carried baby Trump balloons during the protest Thursday. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
Many held signs that read: “No war with Iran.” (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
Barbara Ray stands on the side of the road with a sign reading “war is not healthy for your children and other living things.” (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
People stood in front of the Oregon State Capitol Thursday to protest a potential war. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
A group of about 60 people chanted on Thursday evening in protest of war. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
