Milwaukee protesters oppose US bombing campaign of Iranian nuclear sites, polls show Americans concerned by Iranian threat

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Sunday, June 22, dozens of protesters gathered at multiple events to oppose the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.

Despite temperatures pushing triple digits, grassroots groups took to Milwaukee streets to protest the US bombing campaign.

The first protest was in the sun, on the steps of the Federal Courthouse.

A woman who calls herself Treenut told us, "It's hot. But I think it's worth being here. I think our brothers and sisters in the Middle East are going through far worse right now."

Protesters demonstrated against the US government, President Trump, and Israel. And the protested in support of Iranian rights.

Dr. Ann Batiza is a member of the group Peace Action of WI. She told us, "I think people need to rise up and say, 'Enough is enough.' And we don't want any more endless wars."

Iran's nuclear program is widely acknowledged.

73% of Americans think Iran does pose a real threat to the US, according to a Fox news poll from June 18.

And 79% of Americans oppose Iran developing a nuclear weapon, according to a CNN poll from June 18.

We asked Jim Carpenter, of Peace Action of WI, if the protest means the group is unconcerned with Iran's nuclear program. He told us, "Peace Action is concerned with all nuclear weapons. We should have a world without nuclear weapons."

In Washington, Democratic lawmakers like Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore, are calling the President's decision "reckless and lawless."

Moore wrote, "Rest assured, no one is sleeping safer or more secure because of the unfolding attacks."

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin wrote, "President Trump’s bombing of Iran without Congress’s approval ignores the Constitution."

But Congress has not declared war since WWII, according to the Senate. That was seven Republican presidents and seven Democratic presidents ago.

Baldwin blamed Trump for leaving the Iran nuclear deal and allowing Iran's nuclear program to flourish.

But some protesters are still not convinced it's a threat, despite bipartisan concerns.

Carpenter said, "There is no imminent threat from Iran against the United States. Yes, they're enriching uranium, but it's not an imminent threat."

The second protest was held in the shade in Zeidler Union Square, though it was still hot.

Matty, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, told the crowd, "We're not just coming out here in the heat because we enjoy it, we're doing it because it's necessary."

A larger crowd representing more groups denounced Israel's initial strike against Iran and the US's involvement.

Haitham Salawdeh, a member of the US Palestinian Community Network, said, "The country that is the only one in the world that dropped a nuclear bomb has no business telling people and talking to people about peace."

There were no health issues at Sunday's protests, despite the heat.