US Protests Demand Ceasefire in Palestine as Tensions Escalate
Massive global protests demand immediate ceasefire as Israel's relentless bombardment of Gaza enters its fourth week Demonstrators flood the streets of Washington, DC and other capital cities worldwide
As Israel persists in its intensive airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza strip for the fourth consecutive week, large throngs of demonstrators have congregated in Washington, D.C., along with other capital cities worldwide, to demand a cessation of hostilities.
The substantial participation witnessed on Saturdays depicts an extension of the widespread protests that have sprouted globally in reaction to Israel's forceful response to the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th. These attacks claimed the lives of over 1,400 individuals that encompassed both civilians and soldiers.
The relentless Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of nearly 10,000 individuals, with a significant number being innocent civilians, including a large proportion of children. These airstrikes specifically targeted hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and ambulances, which has caused widespread condemnation from the global community and raised concerns from human rights organizations, suggesting that these attacks may potentially qualify as war crimes.
A livestreamed video depicted massive crowds flooding Freedom Plaza, situated close to the National Mall and the White House. CNN was informed by organizers that they anticipated tens of thousands of people to participate in the gathering.
The director of advocacy at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Iman Abid-Thompson, stated in an interview with CNN that the protests demonstrate the growing support for the Palestinian solidarity movement and the strong desire for change.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators take to the streets in London, urging for an immediate cessation of Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza. The protestors stand in solidarity with Palestine and demand a ceasefire as Israeli forces persistently bombard the region. Israel's military offensive is a direct response to an attack initiated by Hamas on Israeli soil, resulting in approximately 1400 casualties. The toll of lives lost due to Israeli airstrikes on the densely-populated Gaza has already exceeded 7000, with a significant number of civilian and child fatalities. (Image: Phil Lewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza gain momentum worldwide amidst the escalating bombardment.
"In the face of the increasingly intense bombardment of Gaza, this has transformed into a matter of moral imperative," she continued. "It is now a decision between voicing your support for the Palestinians or endorsing a genocidal act."
Hundreds of buses arranged by local community groups and progressive organizations brought Americans from cities nationwide to the national capital for the protest. The International Peoples Assembly, who also played a part in organizing the demonstration, stated that it is expected to be the most massive pro-Palestine march in the history of the United States.
The video captures the demonstration where a large number of protesters, donning the kaffiyeh (a distinct patterned scarf symbolizing Palestinian identity) and waving Palestinian flags, can be seen. Signs in the audience bear messages like "Stop the massacre" and "Let Gaza live."
Notably, several organizers directly called out President Joe Biden and initiated chants such as "Biden, Biden, you cannot hide, we hold you responsible for genocide" and "no ceasefire, no votes."
The protesters are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where thousands have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.
According to the International Peoples Assembly, more than 450 organizations have expressed their support for the march. Apart from advocating for an "immediate ceasefire," the demonstrators are demanding the cessation of US military assistance to Israel and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
Palestinian activist and writer Mohamed el Kurd spoke to the assembled people, urging them to reflect on the lives and grievances of our martyrs, their interests, and above all, the fear they must have felt when warplanes flew above them. Joining the stage, rapper Macklemore expressed, "While I may not possess all the knowledge, I am certain enough to assert that this is a genocide."
Protest, fear and pride: US college students reflect on how theyre impacted by Israel-Hamas war
He stated that we have been conditioned to passively comply and prioritize our careers and personal interests. He proclaimed his refusal to continue this behavior and expressed his fearlessness in speaking the truth.
Yara Shoufani, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement, affirmed that the ongoing protests in the United States and around the globe are some of the largest ever seen in support of Palestine. She emphasized that Palestinians have reached their breaking point after 75 years of enduring colonization, military occupation, and the blockade in Gaza, which has effectively turned it into an open-air prison under Israeli control.
Shoufani stated that the protest offers an opportunity to express the increasing anti-war sentiment among many Americans. This is particularly important as the president and other top officials have consistently expressed their support for Israel.
"We want to make it crystal clear to the U.S. administration that we strongly oppose this reprehensible action and criticize Biden's failure to call for a ceasefire, despite the fact that 66% of Americans support it," she informed CNN, referring to the recent $14.3 billion military aid package for Israel approved by Congress. "Our goal is to send a powerful message to the American public, urging them to join our rapidly growing mass movement that stands for freedom and justice."
"And finally, our goal is to convey a clear message of solidarity to our brethren in Gaza, assuring them that we will not passively observe their persecution funded by our own government," she conveyed.
According to Abid-Thompson, the demonstration additionally presents a chance to "highlight and prioritize the value of Palestinian lives" while refusing to accept the normalcy of widespread Palestinian casualties.
Israeli authorities have rejected appeals for a cessation of hostilities, asserting that they will not consider a ceasefire until the release of all hostages is ensured. Israel asserts that it does not deliberately target innocent civilians in its operations against the Gaza Strip, instead focusing on dismantling Hamas, the militant Islamic organization that governs Gaza and is recognized as a terrorist group by the United States, European Union, and other nations.
The protest organizers assert their demand for an instant ceasefire in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7. (Image credit: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators take to the streets across the world
In addition to Washington, D.C., pro-Palestinian protesters are also marching in other major cities across the world Saturday to demand a ceasefire.
Tens of thousands of individuals gathered at Trafalgar Square in London for the city's third consecutive weekend rally. They proudly displayed Palestinian flags and held banners with powerful messages such as "Ceasefire now" and "Stop bombing children." According to the Metropolitan Police, the initial solidarity march drew an estimated crowd of 100,000 attendees.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the organizing body of the event, took to social media on Saturday and announced, "Today, 40,000 people congregated at Trafalgar Square to show their solidarity with Palestine and demand an immediate #CeasefireNOW." The exact figures from the London Metropolitan Police regarding the demonstration's size have yet to be disclosed.
Demonstrators chant slogans near the Israeli embassy in Amman on Friday to show solidarity with Gazans.
Khalil Mazraawi/AFP/Getty Images
Fears of another Palestinian exodus reverberate across the Middle East
On Saturday, cities across the UK, including Manchester, Oxford, Newcastle, and Liverpool, witnessed demonstrations in support of Palestine. Additionally, thousands of individuals in Europe and Latin America joined together in demanding a ceasefire, with protests taking place in major capitals like Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; Santiago, Chile; and Caracas, Venezuela.
Demonstrations in Philadelphia and New York, USA, have also arisen.
As CNN previously reported, US officials have issued warnings that the Israelis are facing an increasing uproar over the significant number of civilian casualties, which may hinder the IDF's ability to achieve its stated objectives.
Hundreds of protestors from a Jewish organization advocating for a ceasefire were apprehended at Grand Central Station in New York last week. Furthermore, on Friday, demonstrators at the Port of Oakland made efforts to impede a military vessel that allegedly carried military assistance to Israel, as reported by CNN affiliate KABC-TV.
Israel's anticipated ground assault on Gaza has ignited protest from activists belonging to the organization 'Jewish Voice for Peace.' Gathered inside the Cannon House Office Building adjacent to the US Capitol in Washington DC, these activists demand an instant ceasefire. This event took place on 18 October 2023.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Not in our name: Jewish peace activists across the US call for immediate ceasefire and justice for Palestinians
Tahia Islam, an organizer with the Peoples Forum in New York, believes that the growing American support for the Palestinian cause is a direct result of recent social justice movements, such as the 2020 protests sparked by the death of George Floyd. In an interview with CNN, she emphasized how people are drawing connections between the current moment and their knowledge of the US government, as well as their observations of other popular protest movements in recent years.
She highlighted the provision of US military assistance to Israel as a significant source of disagreement.
"We strongly oppose allocating substantial funds towards warfare; our priority lies in utilizing these resources for healthcare, education, and housing," she expressed.
"Our voices dont feel represented at all," she said. The protest offers a chance to "make a statement to the rest of the world" and to "disrupt the status quo."
