Staff Reports
In Washington, D.C., around 400 protesters gathered on the National Mall to show their support for the Palestinian cause and voice their criticism of Israel and the U.S. government. They were commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the Arabic word for catastrophe, which marks the exodus of around 700,000 Palestinians when Israel was created in 1948.
The demonstrators chanted pro-Palestinian slogans and demanded an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza. They also directed their anger towards President Joe Biden, accusing him of not taking meaningful action to stop the conflict and showing insincere concern about the death toll in Gaza.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters rally in the rain in D.C. https://t.co/GtkkfkNN5C pic.twitter.com/B8Vi6MJmGo
— DAILY POLITICS (@daylipolitics) May 19, 2024
Despite the steady rain, the protesters were determined to make their voices heard. One of the participants, Reem Lababdi, expressed her pride in those who showed up despite the weather, emphasizing the importance of speaking out and sending a message.
The protest was fueled by the ongoing siege of Gaza, with the latest Israel-Hamas conflict leading to a significant loss of life and taking hostages. Speakers at the rally criticized the U.S. Congress and highlighted the role of American taxpayers in funding military equipment for Israel.
The protesters also voiced their frustration over the crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities across the country, with thousands of protesters being arrested. They called for the right of return for Palestinian refugees, which has been a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.
During the rally, the demonstrators engaged in a call-and-response, expressing their desire to return to different cities in Israel and the occupied territories. The protest culminated in a march along Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues, with police cars closing the streets to facilitate the demonstration.
While tensions rose during the march, the “safety team” of the protesters worked to maintain order and ensure safety for all participants. One counter-protester waving an Israeli flag was confronted by the demonstrators, but police intervened to de-escalate the situation.
The protest serves as a reflection of the ongoing divide and tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with passionate voices on both sides seeking to make their positions known.
