Deadly U.S. drone strike prompts student-led anti-war march, rally in Modesto
About 40 people joined in a student-organized march and rally Sunday afternoon in protest of the U.S. drone strike Friday that killed Iran’s most powerful general.
Carrying signs with messages including “No Iran war” and “End colonial occupation,” the crowd — mostly college age, but also including the middle aged, seniors and children — took a roundabout path from Graceada Park to Tenth Street Plaza. The marchers went northeast on L Street, southwest on Ninth past the bus depot, then northeast on I before turning onto 10th and ending at the plaza.
They received a number of horn honks, and then some heckling from several men sitting on the patio of a Tenth Street Plaza eatery. One of the men shouted, “Trump 2020,” and another, “America first!”
The march was meant to show the Iranian community locally and in the Middle East that “regardless of what the executive says,” the American people do not want war, said one of the organizers, Julissa Ruiz Ramirez. She is the co-chair of MEChA De Stan State, a Mexican-American student activist organization at the Turlock university.
“Because at the end of the day, we’re all oppressed peoples and we’re all fighting a monster that’s so much bigger than us,” she said after addressing the crowd on the plaza. “We’re fighting a whole system that has orchestrated our continued oppression over generations, over hundreds of years.”
Moments earlier, Ramirez told those gathered that the attack ordered by President Donald Trump could lead to war with Iran and further U.S. imperialism in the Middle East under the pretense of national security. She said it’s important they not just pick up signs, chant some chants and go back home like they’ve done their part, but to keep up the fight in other ways. In this election year more than ever, it’s crucial to keep up community outreach and organizing, Ramirez said.
Those who can vote must do so, she said. “If we do not have that privilege, there’s other ways to be involved, such as canvassing if you are physically able to do so. There are phone bank opportunities.”
Among the several chants during the march was, “Fight for jobs and education, not more war and occupation.” Ramirez spoke further on that idea during the rally. She said that many youth in this country who join the military do so to climb the socioeconomic ladder. “We must offer peaceful alternatives and and provide resources to our people as a replacement for these military promises,” Ramirez said.
Another of the speakers was Karym Sanchez, a community organizer with Gamaliel of California. He said it was important to him to bring out his children, ages 11 and 3, to see they’re part of a loving community that understands war is not the answer. To cheers, he added, “War means certain people profiting, and us dying.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Deadly U.S. drone strike prompts student-led anti-war march, rally in Modesto."
