Anti-war protest in St. John's highlights differing views on Iran war

About 100 people gathered outside the Colonial Building in St. John’s on Saturday for an anti-war rally. They were met with some counter-protesters, highlighting different views on the Iran war.

The rally — organized by Palestine Action YYT and other social justice groups — was joined by members of the Iranian community, including Elham Zamani.

She said other rallies in St. John’s haven’t represented the viewpoints of all Iranians. 

“I am here to raise the voices of millions of Iranians who believe that intervention — military intervention — doesn't bring any democracy for them,” said Zamani.

Earlier this year, members of the Iranian community in St. John's began rallying outside city hall to show their solidarity with protests in Iran. They also cheered military attacks by the United States and Israel, which they hoped would bring an end to the regime.

Zamani said those rallies didn't represent the views of all Iranians.

“I wish that this war ends as soon as possible, and after that Iranians can decide [for] themselves…about their futures, about their governments," she said.

While Zamani spoke to the crowd, counter-protesters shouted nearby. 

One counter-protester said she felt the anti-war rally supported the Islamic republic.

“The Islamic regime is the actual enemy of my country. They are killing my people,” said Azadeh Hadad.

Hadad lived in Iran for 32 years. She said the U.S. and Israel’s military intervention is helping Iranians.

“It is really unfortunate, but it is the way for this regime… to be wiped out, so actual people can come to the street freely and say what they want,” she said. 

Sobia Shaikh is co-chair of the Anti-Racism Coalition of N.L. She said she attended the rally to speak out against war, and noted there were similarities between the two groups at Saturday's gathering.

“They're fed up and scared of the repression that's happening inside of Iran, and I think we're also concerned about that,” she said.