THURSDAY: War opponents plan protest in West Seattle Junction

For the second time in less than a month, a nationwide day of protest will include a demonstration in the West Seattle Junction. Activists say they will rally at California/Alaska at 5 pm Thursday to protest the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the prospect of war with Iran. The announcement says the demonstration’s intent is to “urge restraint and that the United States avoid yet another unnecessary, costly war of choice in the Middle East.”

JK January 8, 2020 (6:45 pm)

Protest what?!?! The killing of a man who single handedly is responsible for killing 10s of thousands of people? The socialist in this country are ignorant! We didn’t start this “war”! Take a history class people and stop being sheeps! Also, the draft was abolished decades ago! No one is going to be drafted. Better yet, don’t register to vote! SMDH!

WSB January 8, 2020 (8:10 pm)

The draft was ended but young men are still required to register. That aside, the draft was not mentioned anywhere in the demonstration announcement, so not sure why you brought that up.
wscommuter January 8, 2020 (9:15 pm)

You are aping right-wing talking points. It is a moronic distraction to point out that Suleimani was terrible person responsible for a lot of deaths . While true, we don’t kill all the other terrible people for doing bad stuff – see list of despots around the world we could kill if we wanted to, but we don’t because it would be counterproductive to our interests, such as potentially leading to a much worse war. Instead, if one has a brain, one thinks ahead and contemplates consequences beyond the initial move. Chess, you know? Unfortunately, we have this idiot in the White House who can’t even play checkers … tiddlywinks maybe. But because we live in the hyper-partisan time, people like you must line up like the “sheeps” (sic) to mindlessly support Trump. And thus, if one opposes Trump, one is a “socialist”. How wonderfully ignorant and arrogant. Funny how those two things go together.
- Chuck January 9, 2020 (10:26 am)
  
  You bash right wing talking points and then insert your own left wing garbage. This man was a terrorist responsible for the deaths of 600 Americans, at least. Iran is already a footnote; there will be no war, thus no need for a draft. If you actually followed what is happening in the world you would realize Trump is a man of peace and NOT a warmonger–he leaves that to the Democrats who profit off of their never-ending wars. How are life-long politicians like Pelosi multimillionaires based on their government salaries? Pay for play, quid-pro-quo. You know, what they project and accuse Trump of, when it is their own means of doing business. But don’t let facts get in the way of your rant. Keep watching CNN for your talking points like the rest of the sheep. Me? I just want to go to yoga tonight near the junction and find some internal peace. Instead, I will have to make other plans since a bunch of misinformed TDS types can’t understand that our media is bought and paid for by deep pockets like the Rothschilds who have financed BOTH sides of all wars since forever. There are 6 media corporations that decide what messages you are supposed to hear each and every day. Wake up! Real truth is out there once you get past the Mockingbird Media’s lies. There is no war with Iran and never will be.
  - BlessHisHeart January 10, 2020 (2:23 am)
    
    The Rothschilds? Guessing you get your intel from Infowars. Do they let you wear your tinfoil hat in the yoga studio?
ggores1225@yahoo.com January 9, 2020 (12:05 am)

It’s an anti war protest! How many ore billions are going to waste in the Middle East? What do we gain? Why sacrifice our men and women’s lives it’s all just a waste of life,resources and time. Get all our troops home,where they belong! Start throwing big bucks at problems here at home,like homelessness,kids lunches and our infrastructure. Bring peace home.
sgs January 9, 2020 (12:05 pm)

JK, you missed out on a lot of history. “We didn’t start this war” is such BS. Who did start it in your opinion? In the 60s and 70s, we were close allies with Iran. My father in law was in the Iranian navy and spent months in San Diego and Norfolk on joint duty. Do you remember that? So what happened? Why is Iran in conflict with us in the middle east? I’d like to hear your theory. The West’s messing about in the middle east for decades started this war. I encourage you to go back and read about CIA support for the dictator shah and control of oil in the 50s – 70s (and yes subsequent takeover of our embassy, but of course they were mad. They kicked us out as we kicked Britain out); massive US military support for our once dear friend, Saddam Hussein, in the early 80s Iran/Iraq war where hundreds of thousands of Iranians died due to our bombs and rockets. Were we on the right side of that one, or only pissed that they kicked us out? I urge everyone to dig deeper – why are we in conflict? Whose interests are we protecting? I totally support our troops and don’t want them in harms way for unethical reasons.
- sgs January 9, 2020 (3:22 pm)
  
  Ok, took my own lesson and refreshed my history. Correcting this info, but my point still stands. US did not directly send bombs and rockets to Iraq during the Iran/Iraq war, but provided Saddam Hussein several billion dollars’ worth of economic aid, the sale of dual-use technology, non-U.S. origin weaponry, military intelligence, and special operations training. Iranian lives were lost due to our involvement and they still remember we were supporting the other side, and US soldiers lives were lost later when we felt we had to take Saddam Hussein out. Our middle east policy is deadly all around. Diplomacy please!
Louisa January 9, 2020 (4:59 pm)

The point is that rules are being ignored by the executive branch to not consult with congress before using lethal force. Do we really want one of our branches of government to “go rogue” and ignore the legal requirements? Congress does have power.
phil dirt January 10, 2020 (5:39 am)

You are right on, JK.

Wendy January 8, 2020 (8:38 pm)

The rally is to say No to WAR

Jk January 8, 2020 (9:13 pm)

According to the story “to protest the US killing of…and the prospect of war”. NO ONE wants war! But to protest the killing of a mass murderer? Really?
- KBear January 8, 2020 (10:12 pm)
  
  Are we a nation of laws or not? It was a totally illegal action. Our President is a war criminal.

KBear January 8, 2020 (8:54 pm)

Assassinations are illegal, as is conducting war without a declaration from Congress. Plenty of reason to protest.

Bradley January 9, 2020 (1:46 am)

Obama didn’t get approval from Congress when he had Osama Bin Laden assassinated. There were no marches in West Seattle after that, either.
WW Resident January 9, 2020 (8:44 am)

We didn’t assassinate Bin Laden?
- nonni January 9, 2020 (10:05 am)
  
  Bin Laden was a terrorist, pure and simple, not the appointed office-holder of any legally recognized government. His own country of origin (our pals, the Saudis) were not giving him sanctuary, nor did they scold him for his actions against their pals, the Bush-led U.S. (who were too busy pointing fingers at Iraq and their WMD). I was surprised when I heard the news reports of Bin Laden’s final minutes, and expected that we might see a greater vengeance, in reaction to his death from Jihadists and their junior wannabes. We didn’t see that. What else we didn’t see was our President, Barack Obama, tweeting, gloating, boasting and shouting from the mountaintops the greatness of his deeds, this one or any other accomplished under his tenure.

TJ January 8, 2020 (8:59 pm)

There’s not going to be a war with Iran. So much disinformation out there for people to get worked up. Like Trump or not, this was a major victory for us. Iran knows not to test Trump’s mettle by trying any real meaningful attack. I certainly don’t want a war, but I honestly think some people would be protesting our country and the threat of war even if Iran hypothetically attacked our soil

TJ January 8, 2020 (9:39 pm)

You are wrong. Yes, assassinations are illegal. This certainly wasn’t one. He was a military leader conducting battle and killing citizens and our troops in Iraq, and was killed there. The world is a better place without him.

wscommuter January 9, 2020 (9:35 am)

And now you’re simply making s**t up. Suleimani wasn’t in a “battle”. It is true that he directed terrorist activity and was no doubt still doing so. That doesn’t equate to killing a combatant in combat. And to be clear – I have no problem with the decision to kill terrorists, Osama bin Laden being exhibit A. However, he was also an identified military (and political) leader of a sovereign nation and so killing him was an assassination. No one outside of Iran mourns him being dead. But we need to deal in truth – he was not on a battlefield. The kind of semantic game-playing you suggest is stupid. We’re not done with experiencing the ripple effects of his being assassinated by us. Hezbollah and other extremist/terrorist groups who are supplied by and supported by Iran will strike at some point. So the killing will continue.

Bradley January 9, 2020 (3:17 am)

Have the people who planned this watched any news? There’s no war. It’s been successfully averted. Everyone can stay home and enjoy the light snow.

uncle loco January 9, 2020 (5:19 am)

This smells like another anti Trump rally disguised as a war protest.

Airwolf January 9, 2020 (8:01 am)

Street closures?

WSB January 9, 2020 (8:17 am)

No. Gathering on the corner(s).

anonyme January 9, 2020 (8:27 am)

Failing Republican president = WAR. This is not only an impeachment distraction but further evidence of an unhinged and dangerous lunatic in the White House.

Sue L. January 9, 2020 (8:30 am)

I have to agree with you, Bradley. I too would like to just stay warm at home. But my parents, who were both veterans, taught me that it is a duty of citizenship to stand up against the unfair actions of government. A good citizen protests!

Kdel January 9, 2020 (9:17 am)

Thank you Sue for your response re: our responsibility as citizens of a supposedly democratic country.My father was a coronel in the US Army and always supported and encouraged me to do my duty as a citizen…to be well informed and stand up for what I believe. The protests are important to remind us all of this.
Bradley January 9, 2020 (1:11 pm)

But what are you protesting? There is no war and no impending war (thank God). Is this going to be a celebration gathering because a war was successfully avoided? If so, count me in.

Stewart January 9, 2020 (9:21 am)

What group is it that organizes these? I’d like to join up for future events, which are sure to happen with Trump in office.

Scubafrog January 9, 2020 (2:30 pm)

Dongald killed an Iranian, which precipitated the deaths of 60+ Iranians at the funeral. Then he deployed 3000+ more soldiers (AWFUL!, GW#2!), and caused the downing of a Ukrainian Airliner. That chain of events, all because of a degenerating octogenarian with a napoleon complex. Thankfully we have a little good news: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trump-is-the-most-unpopular-president-since-ford-to-run-for-reelection/If the Democrats are worth their salt, they’ll find a worthwhile candidate who can beat him. If not, a pox on both parties.

uncle loco January 9, 2020 (3:34 pm)

Scubafrog- Do you have a link to an actual article?
- Scubafrog January 9, 2020 (10:39 pm)
  
  https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trump-is-the-most-unpopular-president-since-ford-to-run-for-reelection/ You bet unc, looks like an ‘if’ got caught on the tail end of my last link
Random observer January 9, 2020 (4:46 pm)

Wow that analog makes it sound like he killed a saint. How convenient to only tell half the story. Eyes Wide Shut?

cantfindit January 9, 2020 (5:11 pm)

Did this group also have a protest when the last administration droned a US Citizen in Yemen? I would love to be part of a group that doesn’t choose a political side, but instead realizes that war, in most instances, is not the answer. I can’t seem to find an article on WSB, maybe it got lost when the site migrated?

Jincy January 9, 2020 (5:28 pm)

Why don’t they protest Iran shooting down a Ukrainian plane full of innocent people?

sgs January 9, 2020 (6:20 pm)

The majority of the people on that plane were of Iranian origin- separate from their national citizenship so there is mourning in Iran. it most likely a tragic mistake. Ever heard of friendly fire? We’ve killed people by mistake too. These things happen in these situations which is why we were protesting.