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.
Breakthrough News ran a complete live telecast of the rally:
“They told me to do my research, that it’s too complex, to be silent,” said the rapper Macklemore at the rally. “In the last three weeks, I’ve gone back and I have done some research, I don’t know everything, but I know enough to know that this is a genocide.”
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Israel has carried out an unrelenting siege on Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attack, killing nearly 10,000 Palestinian civilians as of the time of writing. The majority of deaths have been children.
Many singled out the current administration for supporting Israel’s crimes. “BIDEN BIDEN YOU CAN’T HIDE, WE CHARGE YOU WITH GENOCIDE,” was one of the most consistent chants, and multiple speakers alluded to Democratic support eroding as a result of the situation. A recent poll from the Arab American Institute found support for Biden precipitously dropping to just 17%, down from 74% in 2020.
“We will not let them tell us that the only refuge we have from right-wing Republicans are two-faced liberals,” imam and professor Omar Suleiman told the protesters to great applause. While the crowd was gathered in front of The White House, a young girl rolled up her protest sign to yell in the building’s direction: “GENOCIDE JOE, YOU DON’T SCARE ME!”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met Israeli leaders to urge a humanitarian pause, but Israel’s bombing campaign has only intensified.
“I’m here because I don’t agree with what the U.S. is doing and the fact we’re complicit,” Emily, a protester who lived in D.C., told Mondoweiss.
“It’s been really amazing to see the movement grow and see how big it’s becoming. I have been working on Palestine solidarity issues for 15 years and it’s been energizing to see all the different actions.”
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Aya, a Palestinian protester who came from Toronto, told Mondoweiss that she believes that the U.S. has the most power to stop the attacks. “I don’t necessarily think this action will change what Biden does,” she explained. “But it is good for morale. I think it can inspire people to organize more in their communities.”
The D.C. actions come amid widespread protests throughout the country. In the past week, thousands of activists have demonstrated in cities, held sit-ins outside of congressional offices, and shut down businesses demanding an end to Israel’s indiscriminate bombing campaign. Multiple protesters called for further protests and for attendees to support internationally-coordinated day of disruption on November 9 titled “Shut it Down for Palestine!”.
These are the largest anti-war protests that the country has seen since the Iraq War of 2003, but many activists point out that the mainstream media has understated their scope. “CNN said 40,000 people showed up,” a young woman checking her phone told Mondoweiss after the march. “Al Jazeera says 100,000,” offered her dad with a chuckle.