'Emergency' protests across US demand 'Hands off Syria' (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)
Hundreds of protesters gathered in cities across the US to speak out against President Donald Trump’s missile strikes on a Syrian airbase. Despite the demonstrations being mostly peaceful, there were arrests.
“Emergency” protests were held Friday in at least a dozen US cities. They were largely organized on social media by the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) Coalition, which called the US assertion that the Syrian government carried out attacks on its own people “unsubstantiated” and demanded an independent investigation.
New York City
In downtown Manhattan, protesters gathered at Trump Tower and Union Square. Footage shared on Twitter shows one protester being arrested, following police warnings against blocking traffic and sidewalks. There were multiple unconfirmed reports of multiple arrests.
@NYPDnews@ABC@nbc@CNN first arrest #handsoffsyriapic.twitter.com/nvDBhyD9w2
— Jameson Johnson (@jamesonjohnson8) April 8, 2017
Protest against US bombing of Syria and push for war of regime change outside Trump Tower, NYC pic.twitter.com/ssAbqrHQVI
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) April 7, 2017
anti #Syria intervention protest in Union Square today. They were chanting #USA out, #Assad out, #Russia out🤔 #SyrianStrikes#Trump#Putinpic.twitter.com/7oIqYuGPTW
— Aubrey (@AubreyKende) April 7, 2017
Union Square emergency protest against US bombing in Syria, v fucking tense here lots of agitators be careful folks https://t.co/u7uo8wKbOIpic.twitter.com/JyI6h9naqB
— Jenny Zhang (@Jennybagel) April 7, 2017
Los Angeles
#losangeles#syriaprotest#NoMoreWarspic.twitter.com/jPEPwMyM3L
— Anna Le Claire (@annaleclaire) April 8, 2017
Protests and some counter protest over Trump's involvement in Syria now on going at Pershing square pic.twitter.com/IimTcu4XkA
— Steve Angeles (@StevieAngeles) April 8, 2017
Jacksonville
Six people were arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, after protesters against the Syria strike clashed with counter-demonstrators, according to WFOX. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reportedly confirmed three arrested for inciting a riot, while three others were handcuffed for battery on a law enforcement officer.
#ANjaxBREAKIG protest in Hemming Park pic.twitter.com/LQSMqPYUbQ
— Michael Yoshida (@MichaelANjax) April 7, 2017
Boston
"Don't drop bombs on the Middle East, we demand justice, we demand peace!!" #Syria#SyrianStrikes#PeaceForSyria Marching in Boston now!! pic.twitter.com/URhrhQJF9N
— Martha Neuman (@MWNeuman) April 7, 2017
Chicago
When #Syria is under attack what do we do?! Stand up fight back #handsoffsyriapic.twitter.com/5KCKkVEBxa
— ANSWER Chicago (@ANSWERChicago) April 7, 2017
Dallas
#Dallas#Syria#Protest#PeaceMovement opponents of US airstrikes protest at #DealeyPlazapic.twitter.com/eV3GDIsrU8
— STEVE PICKETT (@STEVEPICK11) April 7, 2017
District of Columbia
In Washington, DC, protesters gathered outside the White House with signs, reading, “No War on Syria.”
"No War On Syria" DC protest 🏛✊🏽☮️ #chooselovenotwar#nofascistUSA@RefuseFascismpic.twitter.com/XBuFmvW3hF
— Princess Kat ☯✨🇸🇻 (@ShortyyKat_x3) April 8, 2017
San Francisco
Urgent protest against bombarding #Syria in #SanFranciscopic.twitter.com/onprlUoznO
— Pooyan_Fakhraei (@pooyan_fakhraei) April 8, 2017
Seattle
Humanitarian, that's a LIE, they don't care if Syrians die! #Seattle#Protest#Syria#NoFascistUSA#NoWallNoBan@RefuseFascismpic.twitter.com/NRxl5OL0EF
— Margo Heights (@eyes2future) April 8, 2017
ANSWER is calling for protests to continue through the weekend to “demand an end to the US war against Syria.”