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President Trump has responded to criticisms of recent protests, suggesting that Democratic opposition is primarily because he initiated the airstrikes. He cautioned that these military operations might extend for several weeks.
In Jacksonville, Florida, demonstrators gathered outside Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Monday to voice their disapproval of the U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran, calling for an immediate halt to American military actions abroad.
The protest was organized by the Jacksonville branch of the Democratic Socialists of America. Participants echoed the sentiment of non-intervention with chants such as “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air. U.S. out of everywhere.”
Nick Pettross, one of the demonstrators, expressed the need for the city to oppose the military operation. “Innocents are dying, so we can’t have that,” Pettross stated. “We need to stand up for that.”
This public outcry follows the recent escalation in hostilities, marked by U.S. and Israeli forces conducting strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities since February 28. President Trump announced on Monday that the operations could persist for four to five weeks, yet assured that the U.S. is ready to extend its involvement if necessary.
The protests come days after U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites starting Feb. 28, escalating a conflict that has killed hundreds. President Donald Trump said Monday the operation could last four to five weeks but that the U.S. is prepared to continue “far longer if needed.”
Not all reactions in Jacksonville’s Iranian community opposed the strikes. One man man expressed gratitude.
“I know there’s some people that might oppose this, but from the Iranian people, we couldn’t be any more grateful, thankful for the United States for stepping in,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for years for this day to come.”
Trump responded to protests nationwide on social media, writing: “What most people understand is that they are only complaining because I did it … and if I didn’t do it, they would be screaming why didn’t Trump attack Iran?”
Pettross rejected the political framing, saying it’s about lives and America’s roles overseas.
“We want to educate people on what’s going on and to show them that there’s people fighting and speaking up against what’s happening in this country and around the world,” he said.
Organizers said they plan continued actions alongside campaigns on housing, trans rights and local elections.
