Phoenix demonstrators call for no war with Iran

PHOENIX — More than 100 demonstrators took over two corners in the Biltmore area Thursday, saying the U.S. doesn’t need another prolonged Middle East war.

They carried signs that read “No War with Iran” as well as “Clear and Present Danger” with a picture of President Donald Trump colored in orange.

They also chanted, “Hey, hey, Donald J., how many kids have you killed today?”

Although one man supported him, modifying the chant by saying, “How many jobs did you give today?”

The demonstrators took two street corners of the intersection of 24th Street and Camelback Road on Thursday.

One of them, Azy Scotten, has family in Iran and hopes to see them soon.

“Everybody is scared,” she said. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen.”

Even though the president has said cooler heads in the U.S. and Iran are prevailing, “I don’t trust Trump for anything,” Scotten said. “He might change his mind tomorrow or today. There is no guarantee in what he says.”

Sebastian Miscenich of Tempe said our military should not stay near Iran to protect American interests.

“We have a lot more in common with the people of Iran and Iraq than we do with the people of Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and other military-industrial complex places,” he said.

None of the tensions worry James Barber, a man wearing a t-shirt in support of President Trump.

“War in Iran? It’s not going to happen,” Barber said. “We can take Iran out with a few bomb strikes. We can take out their air bases so they can’t even launch.”

Other demonstrators called for the U.S. to ease Iranian sanctions on food and medicine, but also for Iran to end its violence.

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