Protesters from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have taken the spotlight recently after demonstrating against the U.S. military, criticizing the war with Iran. In footage circulating online, one protester was heard saying that Hamas should “bomb American homes,” which sparked widespread outrage online.
After being uploaded online, the video sparked angry reactions, and it ended up featured on Dom Lucre’s X page, which compiles footage from topics trending online.
In the video, a few dozen people can be seen gathering around a masked man delivering an anti-U.S. military speech. The protesters use strong language, saying they will not rest “until the United States is brought to its knees,” and that the group will “cheer” for “every U.S. soldier who returns home in a casket.”
After the speech, the man addressing the group can be seen speaking with a cameraman. The person recording asks, “Do you hate America?” The protester responds, “May a Hamas rocket bomb your home.”
Based on the footage alone, it is unclear which organization the protesters belonged to. Given the relatively small turnout and the clearly pro-Iran messaging, it is unlikely that they were part of the broader “No Kings” protests taking place in Pennsylvania.
Internet Reacts to ‘Unhinged’ Protesters in Pennsylvania
Folks were very angry with these protesters on social media, uniting both people who support the war with Iran and those seeking a more peaceful solution. One user said, “This is truly disturbing and unacceptable. Wishing harm on others only perpetuates hate and violence.”
A seemingly outraged person wrote, “Wishing for a terrorist organization to bomb American families is not ‘peace activism.’ It is a direct threat to national security. We cannot allow the streets of Philadelphia to become a recruitment ground for anti-American extremism.” Others described the protesters as “unhinged,” and stated: “Wishing violence on civilians says more about you than whoever you’re protesting.”
One user had a visceral reaction to the footage, arguing that these people did not belong in the country: “Trump should round them all up and send them home. It’s obvious that they lied to get in.”
Due to its strong anti-American language, the video sparked a broader discussion about the limits of anti-war protests, especially when they appear to promote violence. Despite the heated rhetoric, there were no reports of people being harmed during the event.
