Jackson residents gathered Thursday to protest U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. The demonstration took place at the corner of Woodrow Wilson and North State Street, organized by Mississippi for a Just World.
The group condemned the ongoing attack, which they described as aggressive and unconstitutional. Protesters also voiced opposition to what they see as inhumane treatment of Palestinians and a crackdown on immigration in the United States. They expressed concern that underprivileged Black and brown Americans could be most at risk in potential ground invasions.
Speakers emphasized that the money spent on the war could be better allocated to domestic issues such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Candace Abdul-Tawwab, co-founder and executive director of Mississippi for a Just World, urged supporters to sign petitions and contact congressional representatives to support war powers resolutions requiring congressional approval for further military actions against Iran.
Meanwhile, early Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury. Iran responded with attacks on U.S., Israeli, and allied targets across the region, resulting in more than 1,230 deaths in Iran, including top officials and civilians, and the death of six American service members in Kuwait.
Despite congressional votes against war powers resolutions, protesters like Delana Karimi-Tavakol, an Iranian-American living in Jackson, said she opposes foreign intervention in Iran. She argued that resources would be better spent on U.S. domestic needs and voiced concerns about human, ecological, and cultural losses caused by the conflict.
Karimi-Tavakol also highlighted the importance of supporting women’s rights and freedom, referencing the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” which originated from Kurdish movements and gained prominence after Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022. She wore earrings bearing the phrase, emphasizing her belief that supporting these values means opposing the war.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
