'They’re Just Trying To Drum Up War Hysteria ... That's Why We're Here,' Protester Says

CHICAGO — Protestors gathered Monday afternoon at 103rd Street and Western Avenue in opposition to U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The weekend’s airstrikes ordered by the Trump Administration came after days of Israel and Iran shooting missiles at each other.

The “no war” rally was organized in under 24 hours by Southsiders for Peace, a grassroots community group that strives to educate voters on progressive causes and support victims of racial and social injustice.

“I don’t know how much [the Trump Administration] knew before the airstrikes,” Southsiders For Peace member Mark Kuehner said. “They’re admitting now that everything was removed from those sites. They’re just trying to drum up war hysteria in the American public. That’s why we’re here.”

Protesters gathered in the social justice group’s usual spot – 103rd Street and Western Avenue —where they have been coming for decades to get their messages of peace out to the community. Members have been convening at the busy intersection since 2003, when the group first formed to condemn the United States invasion and occupation of Iraq.

One of the founding members of Southsiders for Peace, Bill Beaulieu, told Patch that most of the response to Monday’s impromptu “no war” rally was “extremely positive.” The turnout for the June 14 nationwide “No Kings” protest was the largest in the group’s history.

“Generally, our rallies are perceived very positively,” Beaulieu said. “One of our members counted 662 participants on a clicker. I’m assuming that it’s fairly accurate. It’s by far the largest crowd we’ve ever had, but we were just one of thousands.”

As participants in the rally protested on the third day of a blistering heat wave, President Trump announced a cease fire between Israel and Iran in the afternoon, CNN reported.

A man pulled up to the corner and rolled down his window.

“Hey, there’s a peace agreement, it’s all good. You can all go home,” he yelled angrily.

“We love you, we hope you go to heaven” one of the protesters yelled back. “I hope your day is so amazing that you get everything you ever asked for.”

“Your sincerity is overwhelming,” Beaulieu said to her.

“You have to mean it if you're going to tell someone ‘bless your heart,’ or ‘I love you,’” she said. “I mean, you have to mean it, or it taints the words.”

By Tuesday morning, however, Iran and Israel accused the other of violating the ceasefire. It's still not known if U.S. airstrikes successfully took out Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Southsiders for Peace meet at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month at Beverly Unitarian Church, 103rd and Longwood, Chicago.