Washington, D.C. – Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to demonstrate against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. The protests, largely peaceful, were marked by moments of tension, leading to the arrest of 23 individuals by various police forces.
The demonstrators, consisting of Palestinian supporters and critics of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, aimed to voice their discontent with Netanyahu’s policies and the U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. They gathered at key locations around the city, including Pennsylvania Avenue and Union Station, chanting and holding signs calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
Incidents of Unrest and Arrests
While most of the protesters marched and chanted peacefully, there were several clashes with law enforcement. Outside Union Station, protesters set an American flag and an effigy of Netanyahu on fire and spray-painted slogans on the Christopher Columbus fountain and Liberty Bell reproduction. The police responded with chemical irritants to control the situation.
In total, D.C. and Capitol Police reported 15 arrests, and the U.S. Park Police arrested an additional eight individuals. The charges ranged from assaulting police officers to vandalism and public disorder.
Protesters’ Messages and Personal Stories
The protesters expressed a unified message against the prolonged human suffering caused by the conflict in Gaza. Hasan Isham, a Silver Spring, Md., resident, attended the protest with his 3-month-old daughter, Amelia. “Little kids are being killed in Gaza,” Isham said, highlighting the personal impact of the conflict. Sereen Haddad, who has lost over 130 family members in Gaza, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire.
Security Measures and Police Response
In anticipation of the protests, extensive security measures were implemented around the Capitol, including additional bike racks, fencing, and the deployment of officers from outside agencies. The New York Police Department sent over 200 officers to assist.
Capitol Police spokeswoman Brianna Burch reported that six individuals were arrested for unlawful conduct in the House galleries. D.C. police made further arrests on Independence Avenue and Fourth Street SW for crowding and obstruction.
Diverse Participation and Unity
The protests saw participation from a wide range of groups, including the ANSWER Coalition, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the People’s Forum, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. The diverse crowd, representing various races, religions, and generations, emphasized the humanitarian crisis aspect of the conflict.
Kaneez Fizza, a Maryland resident originally from India, attended the protest with her family. “It’s a pretty good feeling that there are so many people here … irrespective of cause, race, creed, gender or religion, and they’re just here as human beings,” Fizza said, expressing hope for a unified response to the crisis.
Calls for Change
Throughout the day, protesters demanded an end to the conflict, the release of hostages taken by Hamas, and a halt to U.S. aid to Israel. The largest demonstration was organized by several activist groups and included powerful speeches and symbolic acts of defiance against Netanyahu’s policies.
As the day drew to a close, the protests ended peacefully, leaving a strong message to U.S. leaders about the urgent need for change and the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Source: Thousands protest Netanyahu’s D.C. visit and Israel-Gaza war – The Washington Post
