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A minimum of tens of hundreds of individuals gathered within the nation’s capital on Saturday for one of many greatest pro-Palestinian protests within the U.S. because the Israeli bombardment of Gaza started in response to the assault by Hamas militants final month.
Protesters are pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza, the place well being officers say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
The occasion, organized by a number of pro-Palestinian teams, started with a day rally at Freedom Plaza, earlier than crowds started a march in a loop previous the White Home just a few blocks away.
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On the rally, audio system’ chants and messaging centered on calls to finish U.S. funding for Israel within the conflict, accusing President Biden of backing a “genocide” of Palestinian individuals.
Nour Jaghama, a Palestinian organizer for the anti-war group Code Pink, requested the gang: “Why we will hear these phrases and firsthand accounts from Gaza but the genocide nonetheless continues? Why do solely 18 representatives and just one senator assist a cease-fire?”
At Saturday’s rally, protesters held a second of silence for these killed in Israel’s response offensive. Greater than 9,480 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s army assaults over the past 4 weeks, in keeping with Gaza’s well being ministry.
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Israel has tightened its siege on Gaza Metropolis within the northern a part of the Gaza Strip, the main target of its expanded floor offensive in its acknowledged marketing campaign to defeat Hamas after the militant group carried out assaults on Israeli communities on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,400 individuals.
The occasion drew supporters from cities throughout the nation, promoting out bus seats for a lot of departure factors together with Portland, Maine; Boston; Columbus, Ohio; Miami; and a minimum of 10 buses from New York Metropolis.
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Younass Barkouch, 24, got here from Jersey Metropolis, N.J., to attend the march. He stated that whereas his household comes from Morocco, he’s protesting at first as an American.
“I used to be raised to consider that america condemned atrocities, conflict crimes, heinous authorities acts wherever they noticed them. No matter who dedicated them,” he stated.
He believes Israel’s response has been disproportionate. He desires a cease-fire and for mediators to come back collectively to resolve the battle.
Ammara Rana, 39, grew up in Maryland. As a Muslim herself, she stated, it was emotional to see the present of solidarity for a Muslim-majority individuals.
“The unity is superb — to see so many Individuals come out — and I hope Joe Biden sees what he is dropping,” Rana stated. “He will lose the vote if he would not do something to cease this.”
“All of us voted for him for equality,” she continued. “And if he would not give everyone that proper, then he is hopefully not going to be our subsequent president.”
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Pedro Kremer, 48, was raised Jewish in Argentina and now lives outdoors D.C. He says he was taught that Jews search justice “in all places and for everybody.”
“What is occurring proper now’s the farthest that justice may be,” he stated.
Pierre Kattar for NPR
His stance, questioning Israel’s management, has created a rift between household and associates, he says — even his finest pal, who known as him antisemitic. Kremer, who pushed his child in a stroller throughout the march, stated there is no distinction between the worth of his son’s life or that of a kid residing in Gaza.
All attendees NPR spoke to on the march expressed assist for a cease-fire.
U.S. officers have thus far stopped in need of calls for for a cease-fire, however pressed Israel on Friday for a “humanitarian pause” in its army offensive to permit extra support to enter Gaza and for the discharge of the greater than 200 hostages being held by Hamas.
Pierre Kattar for NPR
Israel rejected such a pause, saying any form of cease-fire is contingent on the discharge of hostages. Later Friday, an Israeli airstrike had hit an ambulance close to Al Shifa, a fundamental hospital in Gaza. Palestinians stated greater than a dozen individuals have been killed within the strike; Israel’s army stated the goal of the bombing was Hamas, whose members Israel says have been utilizing delicate websites for canopy.
The U.S. has given billions in army support to Israel for years. President Biden final month requested Congress for greater than $14 billion in army support for Israel.
Emma Bowman reported from Los Angeles. Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.
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