SPOKANE, Wash. — Dozens of protesters gathered in Riverfront Park Sunday afternoon demanding peace and congressional action against President Trump’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities on Saturday.
Less than 24 hours after the strike, the crowd of roughly 100 demonstrators lined Spokane Falls Boulevard with “Hands Off the Middle East” signs and called for peace and an investment in domestic programs instead of warfare.
RELATED COVERAGE: US strikes 3 Iranian sites, joining Israeli air campaign against nuclear program
Jennifer Calvert attended the protest and expressed deep concern about the president’s decision to carry out bombings without congressional approval.
“I want to see that our country stays a democracy, and I feel for the first time in my 80 years that we’re about to lose it,” Calvert said.
Calvert said she hopes to see Congress take action and hold President Trump accountable for his decision.
“I don’t understand really the bottom line why the legislature is letting him get away with it,” she said.
Another protester said she wasn’t surprised by the bombing but was concerned about the escalation.
“We’ve seen this happen in history and it’s like history kind of keeps repeating itself,” Melissa said. “I honestly wasn’t so surprised. I was just really disheartened that it’s continuing to create this violence.”
The protest drew reactions from passing motorists, with some honking in support or in opposition. The crowd gathered near the park’s iconic Red Wagon for several hours.
U.S. House Representative for Eastern Washington Michael Baumgartner shared his thoughts on social media platform X following the bombings, expressing support for the president’s decision.
“I fully support President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuke reactor. Trump gave Iran a choice. The Ayatollah chose poorly,” Baumgartner wrote.
The protest wrapped up after a few hours, with participants hoping their message calling for peace and congressional oversight will have a lasting impact.
“The rule of law is not being respected and it’s the only thing that we can count on to make society function,” Calvert said.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.