Times Square anti-Iran-deal rally draws huge crowd

It was nothing short of incredible. More than 12,000 people attended Wednesday’s Stop Iran Now rally in Times Square, the heart of New York City. Actually it started in Times Square, the supporting crowd stretching back six blocks from the epicenter of the rally. The speakers layout out facts and — even more important — they motivated the crowd to continue to take action against the P5+1 agreement after the rally was over.

Along with President Obama, the primary target of the speakers was New York’s senior senator, Charles Schumer, who is a key vote because of his leadership position in the party and his supposedly pro-Israel stance. If Schumer rejects the agreement other senators will follow. 

Rally Organizer Jeffrey Wiesenfeld set the rally’s tone by repeatedly asking, “Where are you, Chuck?” He told the crowd about White House efforts to twist the arms of Democrats, and explained that the Administration has give a green light to “pro-Israel” Democrats to vote against the bill once the White House has secured enough votes in hand to pass it.

Wiesenfeld also reported that the Administration was meeting with Jewish organizations to get them to support the deal and had a meeting scheduled with the American Jewish Congress. (Although Wiesenfeld didn’t mention it, in 2011 the AJC  joined the ADL in urging American Jews not to criticize Obama on Israel, and AJC Chairman  Jack Rosen hosted a fundraiser for Obama‘s re-election at his New York home.

“It will not be enough if those Congress members say they are opposing the agreement,” Wiesenfeld said they must actively try and kill it. And to Schumer specifically, he demanded the senator round up votes against the bill, or “we will throw you the hell out.” 

“Chuck, this is your moment,” Wiesenfeld  said. “This is your time to make the decision.” 

Alan Dershowitz, famed law professor and noted supporter of Democrats, said called the nuclear pact “a bad deal for Democrats … a bad deal for liberals. I am here opposing this deal as a liberal Democrat.”