MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) — Demonstrations in New York City on Monday reflected the contrasting response to the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.
On one side, protests that took place in about 40 cities across the country, including in New York, demonstrated against the U.S. going to war with Iran. They are a loose coalition of about 30 different groups that met up on Monday. The groups all have different focuses, but they say they agree that going to war with Iran is a mistake.
Protestors at Columbus Circle say they don’t want war with Iran. They say it will destabilize the region, put Americans in danger and be incredibly costly.
“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,” said Answer Coalition volunteer, Gabriela Silva. “And so, we are saying 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. We do not want escalation towards other countries in the Middle East, but we want peace and solidarity, and we’re willing to fight for it.”
“This war has already claimed 500 people, including four American servicemen,” said Taher Dahleh of Palestinian Youth Movement. “Just this morning, the president of the United States or this afternoon 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 crowd was Columbus Circle for about 40 minutes, before they started marching down 57th Street.
The groups say they will keep organizing, and keep protesting for as long as it takes.
A separate demonstration, calling for a regime change, took place in Times Square Monday night.
For those Iranian Americans, it was a nuanced celebration. No one is ever happy their homeland is under attack, but they are thrilled their oppressive dictator and his circle are gone.
“When an entire country of people is begging to be bombed, you know that there’s something wrong,” said Iranian American Tina Rahvar.
Vivace Maxvictor was born in Iran and lived there until she was 10 years old, when it became increasingly clear that as Iranian Jews, they would never be safe.
“We hope this is the beginning of a new era where the Iranians can be free again,” Maxvictor said.
Several dozen protestors came out to express their thanks to President Donald Trump, and to Israel, for giving Iranians a shot at democracy.
“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,” Rahvar said.
Meanwhile, on Long Island, the Village of Great Neck is home to a large Jewish Iranian American community, and for them, the war is deeply personal.
The strike is inspiring a new sense of hope for a regime change and the future of the country for oppressed Iranians.
Festive music filled the air at the Everfresh Kosher grocery store in Great Neck as Jews shopped for the holiday of Purim. This year feels a little different though in the neighborhood known for its large community of Persian Jewish families, many of whom fled Iran after the 1979 revolution and are reacting Monday to the news of the killing of its supreme leader.
“I got so happy. I was it was my it was the best news I ever could have in past few years,” said Great Neck resident Kathy Kahen. “I was out of the country. That was the best news. It’s so hopefully that will lead people to have their freedom.”
Also feeling hopeful is Leon Manoucheri, who immigrated to Great Neck when he was 8 years old, and is now raising his own family here.
“We’re all looking forward to going back to Iran one day. I saw what was going on there as far as the beatings that went on, and even my mom was almost thrown in jail because her hair wasn’t fully covered and even as far as recently, the killing of tens of thousands of innocent people,” Manoucheri said. “So, it’s definitely time that something has happened and a regime change is something that’s definitely needed.”
Purim is a holiday recalling the story of Jewish survival in ancient Persia, which is now Iran. The celebrations often include services, big family meals and wearing masks and costumes, similarly to Halloween.
Nassau County Police are coordinating with religious leaders ahead of the large gatherings.
“The police were already going to be in an intensified patrol already for the holiday,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “We prefer that you do not wear a mask traveling to or from when you’re going to the temple and just at the at the event.”
Kahen believes coming together in solidarity is even more important now.
“Nothing will to stop us. That’s actually will make us more strong and do what we would never do before we do it more and more and more,” she said.
For almost half a century, the people of Iran have suffered grievously. The coming weeks and months could determine what kind of new government assumes power.
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