Veterans for Peace Protest U.S. Intervention in Middle East
The military veterans note that previous wars expected to last "days" have turned into years and decades.
Veterans For Peace is a global network of military veterans and allies dedicated to creating a culture of peace through education, advocacy, and support services. The organization aims to end all wars, raise awareness about the true costs of conflict, and help veterans and war victims worldwide.
On Feb. 28, the U.S. and its partners launched Operation Epic Fury, the start of ongoing large-scale bombing operations, which President Donald Trump claims is to dismantle the Iranian regime's nuclear program.
The operation resulted in the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and so far, according to U.S. Central Command, the death of six American service members, and others more seriously injured in Kuwait after an Iranian drone strike.
"As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives, we pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen," Trump said in a press conference on Sunday.
"And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is. Likely be more. But we'll do everything possible where that won't be the case. But America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilization. They have waged war against civilization itself."
Assassination and murder is nothing to be celebrated and not the way to go, said protester Eric Wasileski, a Persian Gulf Navy veteran, and Rhonda Pastori, an Air Force veteran.
"He should have been brought to trial. Should have been impeached. A lot of things that could have happened," he said.
In the following days, violence and bloodshed continued as Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drone attacks at neighboring countries, targeting U.S. bases. Meanwhile, a U.S.-Israeli air strike hit Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 children.
Trump's actions not only violated the War Powers Resolution of 1973 — which requires an act of Congress to declare war — but has also caused widespread instability in the region, Wasileski said.
The United States has been involved in oil wars since 1991, and this is just a continuation of that. Time and again, Middle Eastern intervention has been shown to be disastrous, he said.
"The theory of peace by force has been demonstrated to be a false theory," Wasileski said.
He advocated for the use of pacifist techniques inspired by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to address human conflict.
He emphasized that conflict is inevitable, but the "golden rule applies." Humanity can do away with violence or violence can do away with us, he said.
President Trump told news outlets such as Politico that the war could end within days or months, attributing this to the steady degradation of Tehran's military capacity.
However, protesters disagreed, pointing to the conflict's long history rooted in obtaining petroleum resources.
This is not a war for honor or defense; it's a war for oil, Wasileski said.
"All these wars last a long time, with so many casualties," said protester Bill Grosser, an Army veteran.
He said both the Vietnam and Iraq wars were expected to be brief, but each lasted over a decade.
"We're told it's gonna last a few days, a few weeks, a few months. This is going to go on. The damage that's going to be caused for the generations. It's not just a short term thing, but a long term," Grosser said.
He urged the need to remain calm, level-headed, and peaceful.
"If we don't show peace, we're doing exactly what the government is doing, just being aggressive and attacking, and that never resolves anything. Violence creates violence. Peace creates peace," he said.
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