Dozens protest against war with Iran in downtown Sacramento, at Golden 1 Center
Several dozen protesters took to the streets of downtown Sacramento on Saturday to protest U.S. military actions against Iran and the prospects of war.
They joined others across California and the nation two days after President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, one of the Middle Eastern country’s most powerful figures. Many Middle East watchers say the assassination, which the White House said was to quell an “imminent threat” of violence against Americans, could further escalate tensions in the region.
The march started at 9th and K streets just before 4 p.m. and stopped outside Golden 1 Center before Saturday night’s Sacramento Kings game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
More than 70 planned protests were organized by CODEPINK and Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, a U.S.-based anti-war coalition, along with other groups, though it was unclear who had organized the Sacramento event. Events took place in Miami, New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco, San here social media videos showed hundreds of sign-carrying protesters marching down Market Street.
At one point, protesters made their way into the Downtown Commons area outside Golden 1 Center, but had dispersed before tipoff. However, about a dozen police units remained at the intersection of David J. Stern Walk and 7th Street, just east of the entrance to the arena, as fans arrived for the game.
“There is a police presence at the entrance of the Kings game just to make sure there are no other disturbances,” said Officer Karl Chan, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department.
Chan said he was told about 100 marchers were present at the height of the protest, which started near the state Capitol. As the protest ended around 6:30 p.m., Chan said there were no incidents of violence and no arrests.
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 7:16 PM.
