Washington (QNN)- Dozens of US military veterans were arrested on Monday after they occupied the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill to protest President Donald Trump’s illegal war on Iran.
The protest brought together veterans from multiple groups who gathered inside the building’s rotunda. They stood in a circle, held red tulips, and chanted anti-war slogans as they called for an end to US military action in Iran.
US Capitol Police moved in and detained the protesters one by one. A video showed officers restraining the veterans and removing them from the building as the sit-in continued.
https://x.com/qudsnen/status/2046344396665246074?s=46
Among those arrested was Mike Prysner, executive director of the Center on Conscience and War and a veteran of the 2003 Iraq War. He called on US troops to refuse deployment and become conscientious objectors ahead of the demonstration.
Prysner said the Iraq War caused mass civilian deaths and left lasting trauma for US soldiers. He told active-duty service members that they still have a chance to refuse participation in future wars. He also said conscientious objection is a legal right and urged troops to seek support to avoid deployment.
Another veteran, Tyler Romero, also joined the protest and said he chose arrest to oppose a “war machine.” He said his experience in the military pushed him to take action against continued US wars abroad.
Romero urged active service members to reconsider their roles. He said continuing participation in military operations would only deepen personal and global harm and called on them to reject deployment orders.
The protest took place as Trump escalated rhetoric against Iran. Over the weekend, he threatened further strikes on civilian infrastructure if Tehran refused to agree to US demands over uranium enrichment and access to the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump threatened that Iran would face devastating consequences if it did not accept a deal. He said the country could face widespread destruction if negotiations fail, raising concerns over further escalation.
