Backlash against Biden administration in the US over Palestine: 'Our government is complicit in this massacre'

Organized by the American Muslim Task Force for Palestine and the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition, tens of thousands of people gathered at Freedom Plaza, located next to the White House in the capital.

During the demonstration, which also commemorated Americans who lost their lives in Israel's attacks on Gaza, calls were made for an end to the loss of life and for a permanent and immediate ceasefire.

CALL TO PRESIDENT BIDEN

Protesters called on U.S. President Joe Biden to stop financing Israel's war in Gaza and to ensure an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Pro-Palestinian Americans, who chanted slogans for the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza to end, also demanded that Israel be held accountable for its actions.

CELEBRITIES SUPPORT PALESTINE PROTEST

Alana Hadid, the older sister of world-famous Palestinian-American models Bella and Gigi Hadid, was among the celebrities who supported the demonstration.

"OUR GOVERNMENT IS COMPLICIT IN THIS MASSACRE"

Hadid said, "I am here not only because I am Palestinian, but also as a U.S. citizen. Our government is complicit in this massacre. I am here to tell the U.S. administration that I will not support an administration that supports the massacre of Palestinians."

Stating that this was her first time attending such a demonstration, Hadid noted the growing public pressure on governments, saying, "What is happening to Palestinians is horrific, not just those in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, but I see that we are coming in large numbers and strongly. We are showing governments all over the world that we support Palestine and they need to stand behind us."

Lebanese-American businessman Nasser Beydoun, a candidate for the Democratic Party Senate primary, expressed that U.S. military and political support for Israel must end, stating, "This crowd will not influence the political machine in Washington because AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) has bought them and they belong to them. They are under the influence of the Israeli lobby. We cannot end the occupation of Palestine without ending Israel's occupation of Congress and Washington."

AMERICANS DISCOMFORTED BY PALESTINE POLICY

The demonstration, which saw tens of thousands of participants, was supported not only by Muslim Americans but also by many people from different religions and groups who find the U.S. administration's Israel policy wrong.

Tom Corlin, who attended the demonstration from North Carolina, stated that Israel's attacks targeting civilians are a crime against humanity and said, "We support the genocide case process at the International Court of Justice and the Republic of South Africa for taking the issue to court. We are also grateful to Turkey, Bolivia, Malaysia, Jordan, and other countries I cannot name that stand behind this effort," thanking the countries that showed courage in supporting Palestinians.

Kristin Moadi, who came to the demonstration with her young daughters, said, "As a mother of two girls, we are here for the massacre and injustice in Gaza. We cannot continue to witness more children and innocent people being slaughtered in this way. For today and the hundred days we have left behind, this must end. Children cannot be killed like this. This is a human rights violation. We are here to support Gaza, the Palestinians, and humanity."

Elias Shafer stated that he supports the Palestinian struggle even though they are not of the same religion or language, saying, "Our politicians care more about money than human life. When shipping in the Red Sea was affected, they acted immediately; 23,000 lives have been lost and no one is lifting a finger. What is important in this demonstration is to show our political representatives what we want and to disturb their sources of money," noting that the actions taken in the U.S. are effective, albeit slowly.

Ruth Borns, who attended the demonstration with her friends, said, "Support for Palestine of this magnitude, which is happening for the first time in the U.S., I think is quite necessary. It starts with the people, it starts with mass movements. We all need to be here," emphasizing that the influence of public opinion on politicians should not be underestimated.

Following the speeches in the square, the protesters began their march toward the White House. Despite the cold weather that began to affect the eastern part of the U.S., tens of thousands of people participated in the demonstration in Washington.

Unlike the previous Washington demonstration, police this time placed two-and-a-half-meter-high barriers to prevent protesters from approaching the fences surrounding the White House. The protesters, who continued to chant slogans there after sunset, later dispersed without incident.

News Source: AA