Video: Pro-Palestinian protesters surround White House, throw smoke
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday as part of a planned weekend demonstration to demand an end to the Gaza war and denounce US President Joe Biden’s administration’s support for Israel.
A massive demonstration in support of Palestine took place outside the White House on Saturday, with protesters demanding an end to the Israel-Gaza war and condemning the Joe Biden-led administration’s support for the Jewish state. Security measures have been strengthened outside the White House as around 30,000 protesters began arriving outside the besieged Executive Mansion around noon on Saturday as part of the weekend protests.
Several visuals of the protests went viral on social media, with most of the protesters dressed in red and holding placards with messages such as “Immediately end the siege of Gaza”, “Free Palestine” and “Stop US military funding to Israel”.
Some protesters stood in a line around the White House carrying two-mile-long banners symbolizing the “red line” that Israel crossed during its operation in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where thousands of Palestinians have taken refuge since the war began.
Some videos on social media showed some protesters releasing smoke and then lighting fires outside the White House gate. Some even threw smoke onto the White House lawn.
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department and the Secret Service told the Washington Examiner that no arrests have been made so far. However, the protests have led to road closures, especially the one that leads directly to the White House.
The protest occurred when Joe Biden and his wife and First Lady Jill Biden were not in residence, as they On a trip to France to commemorate D-Day.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been going on in the US for months, including a university movement that saw demonstrators camp out on the campuses of Ivy League schools and lead to mass arrests. The protests have also included marches in Washington and vigils near the White House and blocking of bridges and roads near train stations and airports in several cities.
Meanwhile, at least eight officials have recently resigned from the Biden administration, citing opposition to his Israel policy.
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