Palestinian Solidarity March in D.C. Calls for Urgent Cease-Fire
Tens of thousands of Pro-Palestinian protestors from all over the United States rallied in the Capital of the nation, Washington D.C., demanding a ceasefire.
Following Israel’s constant bombardment of the Gaza Strip in retaliation to the October 7 Hamas attack, protestors are demanding a ceasefire. So far, the ongoing war has cost 1,200 lives in Israel and over 10,000 killed in Gaza. Over 4,000 out of the many killed in Gaza are children.
The protest started on Saturday afternoon, November 4, at the Freedom Plaza. The crowd marched towards the White House, just a few blocks away. This is reportedly the largest public demonstration in the United States to support Palestine to this date. In addition to signs like “Let Gaza Live” and “Free Palestine,” protestors chanted, “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide; we charge you with genocide.”
Furthermore, these protests are continuations of smaller worldwide protests in solidarity with Palestine. United Nations Experts of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council have warned that Gaza is undoubtedly running out of time. “We remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide,” the experts emphasized. “The time for action is now. Israel’s allies also bear responsibility and must act now to prevent its disastrous course of action.”
Macklemore also showed his solidarity with Palestine at the rally. “But I know enough that this is a genocide, and we are scared. We are watching it unfold. We have been taught to just be complicit, to protect our careers, to protect our interests,” asserted the “Thrift Shop” rapper. “And I’m not going to do that anymore. I am not afraid to speak the truth.
Over 100,000 march on Washington, DC for a free Palestine, demanding ceasefire – “We are calling for an immediate ceasefire, we are calling for an end to US military aid to Israel, and we are calling to lift the siege on Gaza.”https://t.co/awVW5lpPOb
— The Real News (@TheRealNews) November 6, 2023
Saphire Min Ahmed, a protestor from New York, told Glitter the need for independence in Palestine. “The Palestinians deserve their independence from European Colonialism,” Min Ahmed stated. “They were the only country that did not get their full independence.”
Min Ahmed continued to state that she wants the people of the United States to understand where their Taxpayer dollars are going. “In this country of United States, we have all colors, sizes, shapes, they don’t have healthcare, there is a problem with the housing market, young people have to pay millions to go to college. Yet we send millions — billions to a foreign nation? They get more collectively than the poor people and the minorities.”
The Israeli Military announced a complete blockade on Gaza on October 9. A few days later, power was cut off, and the entry of fuel and aid was also restricted. With the war entering its fifth week, the Action Against Hunger staff stated that Gaza’s shelters, sanitation, water, and food services are nearing the “breaking point.”
Moreover, this march is one of the many global protests garnering attention and support for the Palestinian cause.
