Approximately 100 demonstrators gathered on Thursday, June 26, at Federal Plaza in the South Loop to protest recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets.
Organized by PSL Chicago in conjunction with allied groups, the demonstration arose in response to the U.S. attacks on three sites in Iran that occurred just days earlier on Sunday, June 22.
These military actions not only intensified U.S. involvement in the ongoing war prompted by Israel aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, but they also raised concerns about a potential wider regional conflict.
In the wake of these events, President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which has largely endured since his announcement following 12 days of conflict.
However, in his first public statement since the ceasefire, Iran’s Supreme Leader issued warnings against further attacks, targeting both the United States and Israel with threats.
In Chicago, protesters displayed signs with messages such as “Trump and Netanyahu: We won’t let you drag us into global war” and “Money for people’s needs, not war with Iran.”
Chanting slogans like “Fund the people’s needs, not the war machine” and “Biggest threat in the world today, Donald Trump in the USA,” the demonstrators aimed to express their dissent effectively.
Although the turnout was considerably smaller than previous weeks, including a notable protest on June 14 that attracted tens of thousands as part of a nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest against the Trump administration’s planned military parade and federal immigration raids, the message remained clear.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, representing the 25th ward, which includes Pilsen and parts of Little Village, addressed the crowd about an hour into the rally.
He emphasized the urgency of ending “senseless wars” and criticized the government for what he called complicity in genocide within the Middle East.
“This is another Iraq War, with a huge difference that this would be catastrophic,” he stated post-speech.
He highlighted that the potential for an Iranian War, which he described as fabricated by Netanyahu in Israel, would have dire consequences for the U.S.
Brenna McBride from the Wicker Park neighborhood expressed her reason for attending—showing solidarity, especially given her awareness of the privilege of living in Chicago and the United States.
Organized by PSL Chicago, Kathryn Stender remarked that the event served as a protest against U.S. involvement in the Middle East, insisting, “There is no reason that the United States needs to be creating war in these places.”
Mike Morell, a south-side Chicago resident, articulated his general discontent with recent government actions, saying, “It just causes a lot of mistrust over what’s coming out of this current administration.”
Alongside Morell, Riley Badn expressed her desire to learn more about the complexities of the situation.
“I’ve been interested in finding every side of the story and also what’s going on in Iran,” she stated, indicating her commitment to understanding the nuances of the conflict.
Kamran Siddiqi, an organizer with Answer Coalition, shared the heavy feelings the U.S. strikes on Iran had evoked in him.
He urged continued organizing and fighting for change, reiterating, “We have to continue to fight, because what we do now has an impact.”
Sigcho-Lopez expressed gratitude for the mobilization in Chicago, encouraging attendees to raise awareness and engage with their local Senate and House representatives.
Quoting civil rights activist Fred Hampton, he reminded the crowd, “Nothing is more important than stopping fascism, because fascism will stop us all.”
Sigcho-Lopez emphasized the enduring relevance of this message, underscoring the importance of vigilance in the current political climate.
image source from：columbiachronicle
