‘This is an outright war crime': Protests erupt in US and other countries after Trump's strikes on Iran

Indian Express

23-06-2025

Anti-war protests broke out in multiple US cities, including San Francisco, New York, and Washington, DC, over the weekend following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Demonstrators criticised what they called an 'unconstitutional' escalation and warned of a wider Middle East conflict.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and administration officials defended the attacks and warned of further action if Iran retaliates.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched through San Francisco's Market Street, demanding an end to US military intervention in Iran. 'Trump has bombed Iran three times. This is an outright war crime,' said one protest speaker, according to ABC News.
Similar protests unfolded in Washington, DC, New York, and Boston, with demonstrators holding placards and chanting slogans. Many rallies were organised by the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. It also posted on X: 'The people of the United States don't want another forever war. The people of the United States want money for people's needs!'
'We need to show face and come out in mass and show our administration we're not going to be fooled,' said Ramsey Robinson of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in San Francisco. 'We are anti-war. We support the Iranian people. We want to prevent more death, more destruction.'
Activist Deliliah Shenk from Colma said she joined the protest after learning that the US used 'bunker buster' bombs in the attack. 'This is absolutely insane. It's totally unconstitutional. This guy needs to be given the boot. In a big way,' she told ABC News.
Some groups also used the protests to voice support for regime change in Iran, holding separate demonstrations on the issue.
The ANSWER Coalition has planned a national 'Stop the War on Iran' march for June 28 in Washington, DC, with more local demonstrations scheduled throughout the week.
Protests also occurred globally, including in Japan and Iran.
Trump defended the decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear facilities and warned of further action. 'If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill,' he said during a White House address.
Vice President JD Vance also reinforced the administration's stance in an interview with ABC News, stating, 'If they decide they're going to attack our troops or build a nuclear weapon, we're going to respond to that with overwhelming force.'
The strike drew mixed reactions from US Congress. While some Republican lawmakers praised the move, Democrats were sharp in their criticism.
According to the World Socialist Web Site, a broader wave of anti-war protests has also erupted in elsewhere across the globe, including Europe and Asia.
In Europe, tens of thousands have taken to the streets in cities like The Hague, London, and Brussels, condemning violence in Gaza and opposing their governments' support for US-Israeli policies. Large protests have also been reported in Morocco, South Africa, Somalia, and Portugal. Many of these demonstrations include calls for a ceasefire and critiques of imperialism and foreign intervention.
Protests have also spread across Asia, including Japan and Iran, where citizens voiced opposition to war and regional escalation.
Pakistan also witnessed demonstrations. In Karachi, thousands of people protested against the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, reported Reuters. Demonstrators symbolically walked over a large American flag with Trump's image, expressing strong opposition to the bombings authorised by Trump against Iranian nuclear sites.
(With inputs from USA Today, ABC News, World Socialist Web Site, Reuters)