Naeemi Atefeh and her two young children stood at the state Capitol on Saturday holding signs with messages protesting the possibility of a new war in the Middle East.

Atefeh, who is Iranian, said its important for her and her half-Iranian, half-Syrian children to take a stand for what they believe in: world peace.

"The U.S. government must end these merciless and cruel wars on the bodies of people," Atefeh said. "People are deeply suffering for rich profiteers and bankers."

Atefeh and her family were among hundreds of protesters who gathered Saturday afternoon at the Capitol building to show their opposition at the prospect of an escalation in hostilities with Iran. The protest, in solidarity with anti-war demonstrations across the country, came after a U.S. airstrike that killed Irans top general, Qassem Soleimani, early Friday.

About 3,500 paratroopers from Fort Braggs 82nd Airborne Division were sent to the Middle East this week as tensions with Iran continue to grow.

The Austin protest was organized by several anti-war organizations, including CodePink, the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism Coalition, Veterans for Peace, United AntiWar Coalition, United for Peace and Justice and Feminist Foreign Policy.

Atefeh said being at the protest held emotional significance for her and her family.

"At home, we talk about being peaceful and standing up for our principles," she said. "While we cant do anything to help over there, at least were standing here saying were against the continuous occupation and wars of the U.S."

Protesters at the Capitol raised up signs that read "U.S. out of Iraq" and "Oppose Imperialist War" while chanting "Hands off Iran" to the beat of a snare drum.

Brianna Griffith, an organizer with the ANSWER Coalition, said the anti-war organizations came together to speak out against President Donald Trumps "dangerous escalation" with Iran and "violation of sovereignty of both Iran and Iraq."

"The days of there being no anti-war movements are gone," Griffith said. "Were going to be in the streets no matter what against all these illegal wars in the Middle East and throughout the world."

Griffith said she previously felt helpless in how to speak out against war, especially after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. She said the destabilization of the Middle East in the past few years has renewed her fervor against war.

"I made a promise that I can never stay silent again," she said. "These wars dont benefit us. They only benefit the heads of corporations and their defense contractors."

Protester Kaya Epstein held a sign that read "End U.S. Imperialism" and "Lives are not a commodity."

"We cant continue to allow the U.S., the 1% and the government to use their power to oppress people in their interest to make money," Epstein said.

Epstein said the U.S. has imposed imperialism with military power on other countries and that its up to working citizens to raise their voices and call for change.

"Its our duty as citizens to stand up and protest this and show that were not complicit in a system of oppression," she said.

Atefeh said she worries about what will happen next, especially since many of her family members live in Iran.

"You see people that you love suffering and you cant do anything," she said. "Its traumatizing."

However, Atefeh said her family in Iran remains optimistic and hopeful for the future.

"While there are people who will defend their ancestral lands, they do want to live," she said. "We love to live, but with honor and dignity."

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Hundreds rally at Capitol to protest mounting tensions with Iran - Austin American-Statesman