Thousands of protesters in US cities in pro-Gaza marches

WASHINGTON:

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters — some chanting “Allah-o-Akbar” — marched on Washington on Saturday in one of the largest US demonstrations since Israel began bombing Gaza, ratcheting up pressure on President Joe Biden to stop supporting the Jewish state.

Similar demonstrations were held in other cities in the United States denouncing Israel and calling on the Biden administration to pressure Israel to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people, according to US media reports.

Chanting slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and wearing black and white keffiyehs while holding Palestinian flags, the mostly young protesters gathered on the road leading to the White House in Washington.

Protesters also threw red paint at the gates of the White House, symbolizing the Palestinian blood mercilessly spilled in besieged Gaza. They attempted to scale the fence around the president’s residence early Sunday morning, according to footage released from the scene.

Also read: Hundreds of thousands demonstrate in cities around the world to support the Palestinians

They also raised Palestinian flags at monuments around the city. Organizers representing or supported by dozens of pro-Palestinian groups directed protesters into Freedom Square in the nation’s capital before marching past the White House.

“Now is the time to stand with the beleaguered people of Palestine! Gaza is bombed every hour. Israel lacks food, water and electricity for its people. Tens of thousands more people are likely to die. We must ACT!” the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) coalition said on its website.

Protests also took place in New York, Seattle and other US cities as part of an intensified push to demand both a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and an end to US and Western military aid to Israel. Demonstrations were also held in London, Berlin, Paris, Ankara and Istanbul with a similar message.