The situation in Iran has led to some Jacksonville activists taking to the streets.
Indivisible Jax held an “emergency rally” Saturday to condemn the attacks on Iran.
“Definitely shocked,” said rally organizer Ashley McKenzie. “Feeling a lot of heartache because a lot of innocent lives were lost.”
When McKenzie saw what happened in Iran early Saturday morning, she went right to work helping to organize a rally to protest it.
“We’re here to shed light on that and oppose it in any way we can and encourage people to get involved,” said McKenzie.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan weighed in on the attacks, posting:
“Praying for our service members who are in harm’s way in Iran, their loved ones here at home, and our neighbors who have family in the region.”
Congressman John Rutherford also shared his thoughts, with a post saying in part:
“Tens of thousands of Iranian people have been violently murdered by the Iranian regime for seeking freedom and basic human rights. It’s clear: this evil regime seeks to kill and must be obliterated.”
McKenzie says it’s no coincidence the rally was held in front of Rutherford’s downtown Jacksonville office.
“We see clearly that’s not the case, and it’s quite clearly the opposite who the aggressor is in this situation,” said McKenzie.
Not everyone at the rally shared the same sentiment.
“We tried the diplomatic route,” said counter-protester Chris Smith. “We tried to be peaceful. Sometimes, you have to make a show of strength. I want to see the people of Iran free, ultimately.”
McKenzie is hoping, if nothing else, the rally opens some eyes.
“Get out in the streets and organize,” said McKenzie. “Find an organization to get in touch with in order to educate yourselves and the community, basically hold our government accountable for the actions they commit in other countries.”
JSO brought several officers in cars, on bicycles and even on horseback to keep the peace.
They did intervene at one point when there was a bit of a scene involving the counter-protester and a group of the protesters.
One protester told First Coast News he was detained and charged with battery without injury.