Photo: LEONARDO MUNOZ / AFP / Getty Images
Competing demonstrations filled New York City's streets on Monday as residents took opposing sides over the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, reflecting a sharp national divide on the military action.
According to ABC7 Eyewitness News, a loose coalition of roughly 30 anti-war groups gathered at Columbus Circle as part of protests held in about 40 cities across the country. The demonstrators argued that the strikes were illegal, unprovoked, and dangerous for Americans at home and abroad.
Gabriela Silva, a volunteer with the Answer Coalition, addressed the crowd. "The attack that the United States waged on Iran was not only illegal against international law, but it was also unprovoked and resulted in the death of over 500 people, including little girls and their teachers at school," she said. "We want to see the over $1 trillion that this country spends on war, death and destruction be invested in sustaining life for people here."
Taher Dahleh of the Palestinian Youth Movement added urgency to those concerns. "This war has already claimed 500 people, including four American servicemen," he said. "Just this morning, the president of the United States addressed the American public and reiterated that this war is likely going to go on for four weeks, possibly longer, and that Americans are going to die."
The group marched from Columbus Circle down 57th Street and pledged to keep organizing for as long as the military action continues.
On the other side of the debate, a separate demonstration calling for regime change in Iran drew dozens of supporters to Times Square Monday night. Many of those attendees were Iranian Americans who expressed gratitude to President Trump and Israel for what they described as a chance at democracy for the Iranian people.
"We are so much closer to the idea that there might be a day where our parents, our families, we get to see a free Iran, which we never thought would happen in our lifetimes," said Tina Rahvar, an Iranian American demonstrator.
Vivace Maxvictor, who was born in Iran and emigrated as a child, shared that sentiment. "We hope this is the beginning of a new era where the Iranians can be free again," she said.
On Long Island, the mood in Great Neck — home to one of the country's largest Jewish Iranian American communities — was one of cautious hope. As ABC7 reported, festive music filled the Everfresh Kosher grocery store as residents prepared for the Purim holiday, which this year carried added weight.
"I got so happy. It was the best news I ever could have in the past few years," said Great Neck resident Kathy Kahen.
Leon Manoucheri, who immigrated to Great Neck at age 8, echoed that feeling. "We're all looking forward to going back to Iran one day," he said. "A regime change is something that's definitely needed."
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said law enforcement was already ramping up patrols for the Purim holiday gatherings. "We prefer that you do not wear a mask traveling to or from when you're going to the temple," he noted.
Global Times also reported that hundreds of New Yorkers rallied in Times Square as recently as Saturday to protest the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, indicating that demonstrations in the city began days before Monday's events.
Organizers on the anti-war side say they will continue to demonstrate for as long as U.S. military operations in Iran persist. The coming weeks are expected to bring further protests on both sides, as the situation in the region continues to develop.
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