CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- After the targeted killing of a top Iranian military official by the U.S., tensions between the countries are high. On Saturday afternoon, a couple hundred Chicago protesters took to the streets to speak up against the killing and a possible war between the U.S. and Iran.
Trump Tower was the backdrop for the protest at Wabash and Wacker Streets, where people gathered in numbers to listen to anti-war speeches, chant "No war" and hold signs that read "Stop bombing Iraq" and "Trump/Pence Out Now." Many urged Trump pull out troops from Iraq and stop bombing the country, while others expressed their freedom to protest and its influence to affect politics.
The protest began downtown and made its way north on Michigan Avenue, hitting Lake Shore Drive and then walking to the Water Tower Place around 2:40 p.m. In a video posted to Twitter, protesters are seen walking through car traffic on LSD, causing a ruckus for drivers, some honking at those holding signs and chanting.
Sam Coalis, who came to protest from Broadview, said the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was a dangerous move.
"We need to stay out of other countries," Free said.
Almost 24 hours after the attack on Soleimani, Iraqi officials and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq reported another deadly airstrike, reported the Associated Press.
An Iraqi government official reported a strike on two vehicles north of Baghdad but had no information on casualties. Another security official who witnessed the aftermath described charred vehicles and said five people were killed. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.