The demonstration was organized by local youth activists but the age of the people at the protest varied widely, ranging from younger people to seniors. They were there in response to the U.S. military having killed a top Iranian general last week.
The demonstrators, among other things, are supporting federal legislation to block any funding for a war with Iran.
Ashley Ladiges was among those standing in the cold on State Street.
“We’ve been at war for all of pretty much my adolescent life, now I’m seeing it about to happen again as an adult and I don’t want my son to live through another endless, pointless war or occupation or other," Ladiges said.
Ethan Koval feels that demonstrations like this can have an impact.
"I think they help getting the word out and showing people that these issues matter to people and I also think they help just the supporters themselves feel like they have a community that they can lean on for support," Koval said.
Among those calling for peace, was a minister from Irondequoit, Loren McGrail.
“I think that we’re in the season of Epiphany and we’re following the prince of peace and we must resolve our differences through non-violent means and that includes diplomacy,” McGrail said.
Another demonstrator, Scott Wagner, feels the action the U.S. took may rise to the level of war crimes, and he’s worried about the ongoing impact from any conflict.
“Violence begets violence, escalation begets escalation and nobody wins and in particular, people of limited means are always the ones who suffer,” Wagner said.
The Trump Administration has said that the killing of Iranian General Soleimani was necessary to prevent an imminent attack to kill Americans, but many Democratic lawmakers have not been satisfied with the information the administration has provided.
