Michigan Congressman Andy Levin joined a group of interfaith leaders in Detroit on Monday to protest against the idea of war with Iran.
Levin (D-9th District), an Oakland County Democrat and Jewish leader, stood alongside Muslim and Christian leaders at Central United Methodist Church to denounce a possible war, saying it would be both morally unjustified and strategically disastrous.
Levin called President Donald Trump’s Iran strategy “incoherent.” He said that Iran had been following the multi-country deal struck under the Obama administration that limited its nuclear weapons capabilities, until Trump pulled the U.S. out of it.
Levin says that has made the world less safe.
“So we are trying to reach Donald Trump. We are trying to reach the leaders of our country to say that there is no purpose for war with Iran. We will not accept it, and we must do everything in our power to stop it before it happens,” Levin said.
Levin also says striking Iran without Congressional approval would be unconstitutional. “If you want to go to war with Iran, you must come back and follow the Constitution, and ask for permission from the Congress of the United States,” he said.
Levin has sponsored the Authorization for Use of Military Force Clarification Act to underline that Congress has not authorized war with Iran. He’s also sponsored an amendment to a defense spending reauthorization bill that clarifies the same point.
Levin says he has other issues with the National Defense Authorization Act, including levels of military spending, but “that bill will be passed, and we might as well get in there a prohibition against an unauthorized war with Iran.”
Several local faith leaders also voiced their opposition to war at the event. They included Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, Islamic House of Wisdom and Iran native; Rev. Jill Hardt Zundel, Central United Methodist; and Rev. Kenneth Flowers, Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.
