Los Angeles, Calif. — Those who attended the ANSWER Coalition's anti-war protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday expressed support to have President Trump impeached over his decision to order a strike on Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's Quds Forces, and Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes.
The protest coincided with dozens of other anti-war protests across the United States, with events happening in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta.
Towards the end of their rally in Pershing Park, a speaker asked the crowd if they thought the strike that killed Soleimani was a "war crime." The crowd all cheered in agreement. He then asked if he should be impeached, removed from office, and jailed for a "war crime." The crowd again cheered in agreement.
An activist at the anti-war protest in Los Angeles asks the crowd if they think the Soleimani strike Trump authorized was a war crime. The crowd cheers.
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 4, 2020
He then asks if Trump should be impeached, removed from office, and jailed for the strike. The crowd cheers again. pic.twitter.com/iK7hmipZ34
When the protesters marched out into the street of L.A., one of the chants they recited included, "Hey, hey Donald J. How many kids did you kill today?"
Anti-war protesters are now chanting "Hey, hey Donald J. How many kids did you kill today." pic.twitter.com/7IIoyaeUPZ
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 4, 2020
While the crowd was more than happy to bash Trump and the U.S., none of the speakers that I observed had anything negative to say about Soleimani. One of the protesters was carrying a picture of Soleimani to memorialize him. The now-deceased general was not only responsible for the deaths of over 600 U.S. service members, but also thousands of civilians throughout the Middle East.
. Protester memorializing Qasem Soleimani. Credit: Julio Rosas/Townhall
Protesters who were veterans further encouraged other veterans and active-duty personnel to speak out against going to war in Iran.
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) released a statement on the night of the strike, praising Trump for bringing a terrorist to justice.
"This is very simple: General Soleimani is dead because he was an evil bastard who murdered Americans. The President made the brave and right call, and Americans should be proud of our service members who got the job done," he said.