US Citizens Rally Nationwide to Protest Against Potential War with Iran

Date: June 23, 2025

By: UK Pulse

Washington, D.C. — Thousands of Americans took to the streets across major U.S. cities this weekend to voice their opposition to the growing tensions between the United States and Iran, fearing a potential slide into another prolonged and costly war in the Middle East.

The protests, organized by various anti-war coalitions, student groups, veterans’ associations, and human rights organizations, were held in cities including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Demonstrators held placards reading “No More Wars,” “Diplomacy Not Bombs,” and “Bring Our Troops Home,” while chanting slogans denouncing military escalation.

The unrest was sparked by increasing rhetoric from U.S. officials and reports of military deployments in the Gulf region, following a series of tit-for-tat attacks between Iranian-backed groups and American forces in the Middle East. Activists fear that the situation mirrors the early stages of past conflicts, such as the Iraq War.

“We’ve seen this before — vague threats, media hype, and then boots on the ground,” said Maria Alvarez, a protest organizer in Los Angeles. “We will not let our government drag us into another war that benefits defense contractors while costing innocent lives.”

In Washington, a large crowd gathered outside the White House, where several speakers, including veterans and lawmakers, called for urgent diplomatic solutions and criticized the administration’s lack of transparency on its Iran policy.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), addressing a crowd via video, urged the government to “de-escalate and negotiate” rather than “repeat the same mistakes of the past.”

Despite the peaceful nature of most protests, minor clashes were reported in Portland and Philadelphia, where demonstrators briefly blocked roads, leading to several arrests. However, no major injuries were reported.

The White House responded to the protests with a brief statement:

The administration is committed to protecting American lives and interests. All actions taken are based on strategic assessments and national security priorities. We welcome the right of citizens to express their views peacefully.”

As tensions in the region continue to rise, protesters have vowed to keep up pressure on lawmakers, with more demonstrations planned in the coming days. Organizers say the movement will continue to grow unless there is a clear commitment from the U.S. government to pursue peace over conflict.