Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Trump, who has paraded himself as the “President of Peace,” bombed Iran for the second time in less than a year with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28. The U.S. and Israel targeted both military sites and civilian sites, including an all-girls elementary school, leaving mass death and destruction. In response, Seattle protesters took to the streets at Pike Place Market to demand that the U.S. and Israel get their “Hands Off” Iran. 

Explosions could be heard in Tehran and across the country, killing at least 200 people, according to Iranian media reports that cite the Red Crescent, a humanitarian movement. The all-girls elementary school attack in Minab, which is in southern Iran, killed over 100 schoolgirls and adults. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was the leader of the nation since 1989, was killed in another strike. 

“This regime shall soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces,” Trump said during a press briefing. “We’re not doing this for the now, we’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.” 

Trump claimed that Iran’s “menacing activities” directly threaten U.S. troops and bases overseas, as well as global allies. He also ensured that Iran will never have any nuclear weapons. As for the people of Iran:

“Your hour of freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very, very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that these bombings will continue for as long as necessary, and declared that this war will lead to peace. Netanyahu expressed concern about nuclear threats and stated that Israel and the U.S. will “put an end to the threat.” 

The Arab League, an alliance comprised of 22 nations, including Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Syria said these actions were a “blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability.” The Arab League added that these actions will create destabilization in the region. 

Activists and groups in Seattle, like Seattle Against War, Nidal, Bil-Yad, and others, swiftly took to action and organized an emergency protest at Pike Place Market— a prominent gathering and tourist hot-spot— with over 100 people turning out. People proudly waved Iranian and Palestinian flags, and held signs that said “HANDS OFF IRAN” and “STOP THE WAR ON IRAN.” 

Tourists and passersby tuned in for the event, where on one end, fish were being thrown to a cheering crowd, while on the other, a speaker highlighted how the Kitsap Naval Base holds the highest concentration of deployable nuclear weapons in the world.  

A man wearing a grey shirt that said “A true patriot. Charlie Kirk,” made several appearances and shouted “Trump! Trump! Trump!” while speakers were delivering remarks. Activists and attendees prevented him from getting into the crowd, however. A woman he was with ended up grabbing him and they walked away.

Another person took to the microphone and led a chant: “Donald Trump, fuck you! Netanyahu, you too!” and “Say it once, say it twice! Fuck Trump, fuck ICE!” 

The crowd marched up the street and for several blocks, holding signs and banners, and some banging drums. As they made their way back to their starting point in Pike Place, people waiting in line at Kitchen & Market and Hellenika— some with large and colorful bouquets in their hands— halted their conversations as chants rang out through the cobblestone street. 

“While you’re eating, kids are bleeding!” and “Israel bombs, USA pays, how many kids did you kill today?” led some onlookers to whip out their cell phones to record the activism, with one man being seen nodding in agreement. 

Despite this and other protests against the war on Iran that took place across the nation, Iranians are understandably celebrating the death of Khamenei, who oppressed the people of Iran by controlling the freedom of the press, society and culture, speech, and assembly. Large-scale protests broke out in December of 2025 in Iran, which only grew by January, triggered by an economic crisis.

The government massacred protesters during an internet blackout, with some reports of over 30,000 people murdered in January. Khamenei demanded that troops “crush the protests by any means necessary.”

But this war on Iran is occurring while Israel carries out a genocide against the Palestinian people with the backing of the U.S. military and financial aid, while bombing parts of the Middle East. Israel and the U.S. carried out massive deaths and destruction against Iranians under the guise of nuclear threats, and are expected to continue to do so for days to come.

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