Thousands Of Pro-Palestinian Protesters Swarm Downtown Washington
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
The protesters gathered near the White House in the afternoon, many equipped with Palestinian flags and dressed in the traditional black and white Palestinian scarves called keffiyeh,
according to USA Today. The protests are in response to ongoing military action by Israel in Gaza following Hamas’ surprise attack against the state on Oct. 7, 2023.
The event, called the March on Washington for Gaza, was promoted to be likely the largest pro-Palestinian demonstration since the war began,
according to The Guardian. The American Muslim Task Force for Palestine and other groups organized the event, claiming that Israel is perpetuating “crimes against humanity” and that there should be the creation of a fully recognized Palestinian state.
The protest featured a number of chants, including “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” according to USA Today. That
particular slogan has the historical implication to many that it is calling for the eradication of the Jewish state of Israel while also promoting genocide.
A smaller group of protesters moved to the fences in front of the White House in the evening following the main rally, where they were seen banging on the barrier and chanting,
according to an X video from reporter Julio Rosas. In another video, protesters can be seen increasingly
pushing against the fence, prompting Secret Service personnel to man the area to prevent a breach, with attendees heard saying, “**** Joe Biden.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters held a
similar event in November in downtown D.C., with that protest ending with numerous people swarming the outer perimeter of the White House fence. In that event, protesters could be heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” and “Raise your hand, make a fist, Palestine will resist.”
Reports emerging that all non-essential White House staff have been told to LEAVE THE BUILDING as massive group of PRO YEMEN protesters push up on the fences on Pennsylvania Avenue..
