Protesters gathered outside the Erikson Alumni Center on WVU’s campus to show their opposition to the military strikes on Iran. Credit: Ava Bartnicki/WVU News
Residents in Morgantown are voicing their concerns over recent U.S. military action abroad, as the conflict continues to grow in both scale and impact.
The protest comes in response to a joint U.S. and Israeli military campaign targeting Iran. Since the start of the operation, seven U.S. soldiers have been killed in action, with more than 150 others injured.
The conflict escalated following a February 28 airstrike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. President Donald Trump said that the military action was launched in response to Iran’s nuclear programs. Reports indicate that more than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed in military strikes since the campaign began.
Locally, community members gathered at the Erickson Alumni Center on the campus of West Virginia University to express opposition to the war.
“I don’t think we have the right to bomb a country because it’s got authoritarian leaders,” said protestor Karen Watson. “There are other diplomatic means that we need to be using. It’s harder work maybe than dropping bombs, but I think that’s what our country needs to do.”
Beyond the human toll, the conflict is also affecting Americans at home. Gas prices across the country have risen sharply since the end of February, with the national average nearing $4 per gallon, an increase of about 75 cents. The spike is leaving many drivers feeling the financial strain.
This article was adapted from a television news story using AI. All reporting, facts, and quotes from sources are original. AI was only used to assist with formatting and style for a digital platform.