Hundreds Rally Downtown San Francisco Feb. 28 Against U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran

Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the federal building at 90 7th St. in downtown San Francisco on Feb. 28 to denounce recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, organizers and local reporters said. The event, named “No War on Iran” by Mission Local, was organized by Bay Area Iranian-American and Palestinian solidarity groups and took place Saturday afternoon at the federal plaza at Seventh and Mission Streets.

From the federal plaza protesters marched into downtown streets, with ABC7 reporting participants held signs at the Ferry Building and along Market Street and Mission Local documenting that by 4 p.m. the crowd of approximately 300 demonstrators had scattered across Seventh Street between Stevenson and Mission Streets. KQED also described the group leaving the plaza and chanting against U.S. involvement in the region as they moved through downtown.

Visuals at the rally included signs reading “Hands off Iran” and “No bombs on Iran,” ABC7 said, while Mission Local photographed placards including one reading “STOP THE WAR.” Mission Local reported the No War on Iran event featured speakers from the Palestinian Youth Movement, who led chants condemning the joint U.S.-Israeli operation as a “war crime.” KQED noted some signs criticized military spending and both major political parties, and that some participants voiced opposition to immigration enforcement alongside anti-war messages.

Organizers and participants emphasized rapid mobilization and broad political critique. Dina Saadeh, identified by ABC7 as the protest’s organizer, said, “I don't think Americans understand U.S. imperialism, U.S. intervention,” and added, “In order to really understand what is going on, we have to understand our own role in what's happening.” ABC7 quoted Saadeh saying she was “happy with the hundreds who turned out since they only had hours to prepare,” and that “ordinary people coming together for this scares warmongers.” ABC7 also quoted activist Cameron Kay: “Whether its trump or U.S. imperialism, the whole system itself, we have to come together. Enough is enough,” Mission Local quoted San Francisco State student Fern, who declined to provide a last name: “I don’t support bombing countries for whatever Trump is looking for — oil or power in the Middle East,” and “My best friend has family in Iran, and I’m terrified for her.” ABC7 quoted George Bisharat, Professor Emeritus at University of California College of the Law, San Francisco: “The assassination of one person will not bring that regime down.”

The demonstrations came less than a day after news of the military action; Mission Local reported the U.S.-Israeli operation began around 1 a.m. EST. KQED and ABC7 carried President Donald Trump’s statement that the strikes had killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a claim presented as Trump’s announcement and described by KQED as a development that could trigger major political and regional shifts. Mission Local cited a University of Maryland poll taken earlier in February showing 21 percent of Americans supported a war with Iran while 49 percent opposed.

Photographers captured the gathering; Xinhua photo captions dated Feb. 28, 2026 credit Ziyu Julian Zhu for images of protesters in San Francisco. Video of the march and rally was posted to YouTube and KQED ran live video excerpts, reflecting rapid local media coverage of the downtown demonstration. Organizers emphasized swift turnout and broad coalitions of Iranian-American and Palestinian solidarity groups as they urged an end to further U.S. military escalation.