Dozens of San Antonians protested the war in Iran outside City Hall April 8 during a rally organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
The “End the War on Iran For Good” protest was organized on short notice after President Donald Trump posted April 7 on Truth Social: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”
Protesters waved signs reading, “Trump White House: Gang of Murderers” and “NO Genocide Against Iran,” chanting toward passing traffic. The Iran war began Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that ignited widespread regional conflict as Iran launched retaliatory strikes against myriad U.S. bases and Middle Eastern nations.
The U.S., Israel and Iran negotiated a two-week ceasefire agreement April 7. Israel then launched a massive wave of strikes in Lebanon April 8 and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, escalating its offensive operations against Hezbollah there. The U.S. and Israel say the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon.
The war has drawn criticism from anti-war protesters who say the violence has led to widespread civilian casualties and instability.
“It’s like we live in some kind of opposite reality,” TJ Cantwell, a former SAC student at the protest, said. “I don’t see how we are not breaking down the doors of the White House or Mar-a-Lago and dragging him out.”
Matthew Peña, a speaker from the Democratic Socialists of America, said he feels that the American dollar could be used more effectively here, specifically in San Antonio.
“It’s not our war; we are throwing billions of dollars into a war that we don’t want,” Peña told the Sundial. “We are the third poorest city in America. All that money we are using to bomb women and children could easily be used here to benefit the people.”
Enroljas Ruiz, a mutual aid leader for 50501 — a protest group whose mission is to “uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach — spoke at the demonstration.
“The America that I grew up with was one with justice, peace and equality,” Ruiz said. “The strike coming out in the middle of the night, killing thousands, was unjustifiable and horrific.”
Gabriella Gallagher, who emigrated to the U.S. from Kayfoun, Lebanon, in July 2025, spoke at the protest. She said the village she used to live in was bombed Wednesday as Israel carried out its massive wave of airstrikes in Lebanon.
“They bombed the village where I was living, and they bombed the main square where there was a mosque,” Gallagher told the crowd.
Gallagher said she wished she could return to Lebanon to be with those she loves during these times.
“I really want to be there…If a loved one of yours were in danger, you would want to go and save them even though you would be in danger yourself.”
Protest organizers also encouraged participants to demonstrate for May Day, an international day of labor action held May 1 that centers on workers’ rights and social justice.
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