Source: Mondoweiss.net
An estimated 300,000 demonstrators shut down the streets of D.C. in the largest Palestine protest in United States history, calling for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Gaza.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Organizers estimate 300,000 people attended the rally and march, easily making the largest demonstration for Palestine in United States history.
Protesters gathered in Freedom Plaza, where organizers delivered speeches and led chants in support of Gaza, before marching to The White House. The event was organized by a coalition of organizations, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, ANSWER Coalition, American Muslim Alliance, The People’s Forum, National Students for Justice in Palestine, Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and Maryland2Palestine, and endorsed by over 500 organizations representing justice movements across the United States. A companion rally was held on the West Coast in San Francisco and drew an estimated 50,000 people.
“For the past four weeks we have witnessed the horrific slaughter of our people in Gaza by the Israeli occupation take place with complete support of the Biden administration. This massacre must end today, and we are here to ensure that Israel and its partners in genocide are held accountable,” said Yara Shoufani of the Palestinian Youth Movement.
Speakers addressed the capacity crowd for close to three hours before the march headed toward The White House. Speakers included attorney and activist Noura Erakat, writer, poet, and Mondoweiss Culture Editor Mohammed El-Kurd, historian, author Vijay Prashad, representatives of the Palestinian Feminist Collective who were joined by actor Susan Sarandon, student activists from across the U.S. as well as representatives from leading Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, Black, Indigenous, and other co-sponsoring organizations.
“We are united by our commitment to humanity, our absolute refusal to let Western powers and Israel bury it beneath their depraved pursuit of wealth and privilege,” Erakat told the crowd….