(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) A group of about 40 people protested the strikes on Syria, Sunday, April 15, 2018.
About 40 people gathered in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday to protest Friday’s U.S.-led bombings in Syria.
The rally, hosted by University of Utah Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the Wallace Bennett Federal Building, coincided with other demonstrations in major U.S. cities, including New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco.
“We don’t think that escalation is in anyone’s interest,” Ian Decker, an SDS member, said, adding that the bombings could lead to war and more Americans and Syrians dying.
In addition, the United States is not justified in trying to tip the balance in Syria, Decker said, and only the Syrian people have to the right to pick their leader.
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered U.S. forces to launch missile strikes in Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the country.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no additional U.S. attacks were planned at this time.