A small group of protesters, led by retired cardiologist Rungsrit Kanjanavanit, held a peaceful sit-in yesterday at the US Consulate General in Chiang Mai province, to call on the United States to respect international law and condemning a deadly attack on an all-girl primary school in Iran.
Rungsrit, a former cardiology lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University and a social and environmental activist, sat in front of the consulate with placards carrying messages addressed to the US government.
The signs, written in English, expressed deep disappointment with the United States, which protesters said was once a country that upheld the rule of law, exercised restraint and served as a moral leader in the international community.
The protesters condemned the actions of several governments, including Russia’s for its invasion of Ukraine, and the repression of the Iranian people by their hard line leaders, but focused on recent US military action that resulted in the deaths of civilians and Iranian sailors.
They expressed shock and disappointment that the United States, long seen as a defender of the rule of law, has not yet acknowledged or taken responsibility for these incidents.
The statement calls on the US government to accept accountability and recognise the human cost of war.
The group stressed that criticism is directed at government decisions, not the American people, and urges US citizens to use democratic means to question their leaders and push the country back towards restraint, responsibility and peace.
“The world is watching, not as enemies, but with hope that the American people will guide their nation back towards wisdom, restraint, responsibility and peace,” he said in the statement.
His placards read, “No War”, “Make America Good Again” and “This is not the America we know.”
After the statement was read, the protesters placed their messages near the consulate sign before dispersing peacefully.
Police, both in uniform and plain clothes, monitored the gathering inside and outside the consulate, but the situation remained orderly.
The doctor later wrote on his Facebook page:
“A short while ago, I went to express my feelings towards the American government in front of the US Consulate in Chiang Mai.
I simply intended to go there, sit on a mat, display some signs, read a statement and then leave. Many people asked why I would do it, saying it probably wouldn’t mean anything.
I think that may be true, but I still wanted to be true to my own feelings and do what an ordinary person like me can do.
When I arrived, I was surprised to see several police officers, both in and out of uniform. Someone inside the consulate probably knew about our visit and had to follow security procedures. I apologise for causing them trouble.
I would like to thank three new friends I just made, who helped hold the signs. I also thank the media who came and helped to spread the message.”
