More than 300 cars packed the eastside freeways on Saturday, Iranian, Israeli and American flags snapping in the wind as the caravan rolled from the Eastside toward downtown Seattle. Drivers leaned on their horns along Interstate 405 and Interstate 5, briefly slowing traffic and drawing stares from weekend motorists. Hours later, an anti-war crowd gathered at Pike Place Market, a dueling scene that captured how sharply the region is split over U.S. and Israeli military action.
Caravan organized by Voice of Iran Washington
The freeway convoy was organized by Voice of Iran Washington, with participants driving in from Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland, according to KING-TV. Organizers told the station they counted more than 300 vehicles and that many cars carried large flags and hand-lettered signs backing U.S. strikes on Iran. Arash Seyfianjoo, one of the organizers, said the caravan had been in the works for months but that developments overnight spurred a bigger turnout than expected, KING-TV reported.
Counter-protests at Pike Place
Downtown, the message looked very different. Anti-war demonstrators staged a “Hands Off Iran” rally at Pike Place Market and called on U.S. and Israeli forces to halt strikes they warned could endanger civilians, The Associated Press reported. The event brought together Seattle Against War and a coalition of local groups, including the Seattle Democratic Socialists of America, Students for a Democratic Society and Veterans for Peace. AP photo coverage showed both supporters and opponents of the strikes staking out space across the region on the same day.
Local officials weigh in
Washington’s political leaders reacted quickly. Sen. Patty Murray urged Congress to reconvene and vote to “put an end to this war,” according to The Spokesman-Review. Other elected officials called for greater transparency and congressional oversight before any further military steps. Local public-safety officials said they kept tabs on the rolling freeway protest and downtown gatherings, watching for traffic problems and security issues as the day unfolded.
Military action prompted rallies
The demonstrations followed major U.S. and Israeli strikes that U.S. Central Command said began early Saturday. Targets included IRGC command centers, air-defense sites, missile and drone launch areas and military airfields, according to USNI News. Military officials framed the operation as an effort to eliminate imminent threats to U.S. forces and interests. CENTCOM later said its forces defended against Iranian retaliatory missile and drone attacks with no reported U.S. casualties, according to the same reporting.
For many in the caravan, the strikes felt personal rather than abstract geopolitics. “We don’t have any rights in Iran,” organizer Arash Seyfianjoo told KING-TV, adding that he sees the military action and international pressure as a possible, if uncertain, opening for change. Organizers and police said the freeway procession remained peaceful, and the line of cars eventually broke up later Saturday with only brief traffic impacts reported.
