Large-scale protests in DC demand a ceasefire in Gaza
This Saturday, a sizable gathering of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in downtown Washington, DC, to voice their disagreement to the Biden administration’s attitude on Israel and its continuous military operations in Gaza and to demand a ceasefire. The demonstrators, most of them were young people, congregated on the roadway that led to the White House, brandishing Palestinian flags and chanting phrases like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” They also wore black and white keffiyehs.
Their main demands were that the US stop providing assistance to Israel and that there be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. At least 10,000 demonstrators also painted Palestinian flags and graffiti on the General Marquis de Lafayette Statue in neighboring Lafayette Park. They demanded an immediate end to all future aid to Israel and accused President Joe Biden of “supporting genocide.”
The demands for a ceasefire in Gaza intensified as Israel increased the intensity of its onslaught. Over 9,400 Palestinians have died in the area since October 7, when Hamas launched an onslaught on Israel that claimed 1,400 lives, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is overseen by Hamas.
Numerous American communities and progressive organizations arranged hundreds of busses to transport participants from throughout the country to the nation’s capital for the demonstration. The biggest pro-Palestine event in US history, according to the International People’s Assembly, which was also involved in the demonstration’s planning.
Videos from the event showed large groups of demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags and many wearing the kaffiyeh, a patterned scarf that represents Palestinian culture. Messages such as “Let Gaza live” and “Stop the massacre” were displayed on signs held by audience members. With shouts like “no ceasefire, no votes” and “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” a few organizers took aim at President Joe Biden directly.
