PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Over two dozen demonstrators marched through Center City Saturday, calling on local lawmakers to end funding for the war in Iran as the Pentagon seeks an additional $200 billion.
The rally, organized by Peace, Justice, Sustainability Now and other activist groups, began at the offices of Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, then proceeded to City Hall. Organizers said they wanted to call the senators out for their pro-war stance.
Barbara, an organizer with Peace, Justice, Sustainability Now, said they are against the government spending over a billion dollars on attacking Iran.
"I don't want my taxes, which we're about to pay, to go to this," she said.
"I wanted it to go to all the things that help people that make people thrive. Not destroy them."
State Rep. Chris Rabb spoke to the crowd, saying every bomb dropped is an outrage.
“Because we're going to cut a check for $200 billion to the Pentagon, when we have starving people here,” he said. “People without homes, students who are in schools with asbestos. In the richest country in world history.”
Linda Battiste, a member of the Granny Peace Brigade, said she’s been protesting against war for 15 years.
“Throw the money away for all we care. If you don't want to give it to causes like children, healthcare, education, fine, but don't use it to drop bombs on innocent people for your own greed and for your own agenda,” she said.