Chicago activists with Refuse Fascism and other local organizations denounce the Trump regime’s attacks on Iran and announce emergency response demonstrations.In response to Trump’s assassination of a high-ranking military leader (an act of war), Iran fired missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq. Now Trump could retaliate and massively escalate the threat of further conflict and suffering for people of Iran and the whole region. Every day the Trump/Pence regime remains in power poses a catastrophic danger to humanity and the planet. Multiples times he has said, “If I have nuclear weapons, why can’t I use them?”  In the name of humanity, we must get in the streets and demand the immediate removal of the Trump/Pence regime.

Vietnam veteran Lou Downey stated, “Remember, Trump in the past has openly threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iran. Iran and Iraq are in the immediate crosshairs, while an unpredictable spiral of war threatens to spread far wider. Trump intends to roll over any opposition from Congress or international bodies. It is up to us, in unity with people around the world. Humanity will face the consequences of what this regime does next. But it is WE who have the potential power, and the responsibility, to STOP it. Trump/Pence Out Now!”

“The U.S. has had no right to lethally and brutally meddle in the affairs of countries in the region over the past five decades,” says Kathy Kelly, Voices for Creative Non-Violence Co-coordinator. “Beginning in 1990, Iraqis were afflicted by U.S. military and economic warfare. Now, President Trump threatens sanctions ‘like they’ve never seen before.’ Will hundreds of thousands more children under age five die gruesome deaths because of a new round of U.S.-imposed economic sanctions?”

Activists from many community organizations have announced that protesters will gather today at Trump Tower at 5:30 pm. RefuseFascism.org is mobilizing for a national day of action on January 11 demanding “Trump/Pence Out Now – No War On Iran,” gathering at the Thompson Center at 11:30am this Saturday.

While millions watch these moves towards war in silent horror, and the Senate dithers and coordinates with the regime on how to kill the impeachment process, another path lies before people of conscience: to take to the streets in sustained, mass, nonviolent protest demanding the ouster of this illegitimate regime, as people in Puerto Rico, Sudan, Algeria and many other places have done just this past year. Now is the time for determined struggle by the people to go all the way to demand: Trump/Pence #OUTNOW!

Participating in the press conference (list in formation):
Refuse Fascism Chicago Chapter
Revolution Club Chicago
Voices for Creative Non-Violence
Tio Hardiman, Executive Director, Violence Interrupters, Inc.
Ashunda Harris, The Leaders Network,* whose nephew Aaron Harrison was    killed by CPD in 2007
Ilyaz Syed, Madina Islamic Academy
Father Bob Bossie, SCJ