Portland rally held in opposition to potential war against Iran

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A rally was held in Portland Wednesday night in opposition to the possibility of the Trump Administration becoming involved in a war with Iran.

The rally began at 6 p.m. outside the office of U.S. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden on Northeast 11th Avenue and it remained a peaceful gathering.

Organizers said the “emergency rally” is to “demand Senator Ron Wyden block Trump’s threat of escalation in Iran.”

Wyden’s office previously released a statement on the issue, saying on June 13 that while he supports “Israel’s right to defend itself” against nuclear threats, he nevertheless called on the Trump administration “to commit serious diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program.” The statement went on to say Americans don’t want to be dragged into another war.

This all comes after Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and subsequent Iranian retaliation against Israel last week.

The rally in Northeast Portland comes as a completely separate demonstration also took place outside the ICE facility in South Portland.

“I would say that all of these are connected issues. The war in Iran is connected to ICE doing these illegal arrests at home,” said Chris, with About Face Veterans Against the War, during the rally outside Wyden’s office. “I mean, everyone has the right to live in peace. Americans, Iranians, Palestinians, Israelis. Everyone deserves to live in peace. And it’s unacceptable to, to ramp up the sort of call to war.”

The Wednesday evening rally against going to war with Iran was sponsored by Veterans for Peace, About Face Veterans Against the War, Abby Martin of Empire Files and the Party of Socialism and Liberation Portland, according to a flyer for the event.

“Congress is about to debate a resolution to block the Trump administration from going to war against Iran — now is the moment to raise our voices to stop a new U.S. war in the Middle East!” the flyer reads. “Trump may be on the verge of ordering direct U.S. strikes that would escalate the war to unspeakably dangerous new heights.”

Wyden’s statement on the Israel-Iran conflict is below:

 “Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a threat to peace and stability and I support Israel’s right to defend itself from these threats. I call on the Trump administration to commit to serious diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program, which is the best path to durable peace and security in the region. Americans are clear they do not want U.S. troops to be dragged into another war in the Middle East.”