On Saturday evening, protesters splattered the walls and doors of the White House with red paint, expressing their opposition to the violent military campaign being waged by Israel against Gaza. Later, the demonstrators in Washington were seen attempting to climb the iron gates of the White House, voicing phrases that condemned U.S. President Joe Biden's unconditional support for Israel.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, carrying Palestinian flags and denouncing the green light given by the United States to Israel. The demonstrators chanted, "Biden... Biden, you can't hide, you are complicit in genocide." They held signs displaying slogans such as "Palestinian lives matter," "Let Gaza live," and "Their blood is on your hands."
Activists dubbed the protest "National March on Washington: Free Palestine," and organized buses to the U.S. capital from across the country to gather demonstrators, according to the anti-war and anti-racism coalition "ANSWER." Mehdi Bray, the national director of the American Islamic Coalition, stated, "What we want and demand is a ceasefire now."
The demonstration is one of the largest pro-Palestinian gatherings in the United States and among the biggest gatherings for any cause in Washington in recent years. Crowds began assembling in Freedom Plaza near the White House in the afternoon, with the protest starting with a minute of silence as demonstrators held up a large poster displaying the names of Palestinians killed since the onset of the intensive Israeli bombardment.
Washington is seeking to persuade Israel to accept humanitarian truces, which Israel has so far refused.
