In the heart of world imperialism, hundreds from across the District-Maryland-Virginia area demonstrated against Israel’s newest campaign of brutality in Gaza. The demonstrators did not mince words: the actions were courageously open in opposing Zionist violence chanting, “When people are occupied, resistance is justified,” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and “Gaza, Gaza, don’t you cry; Palestine will never die!”
Called on short notice, over 200 demonstrators on Friday showed up outside the Israeli embassy to meet Zionist imperialism face-to-face. After rallying for over three hours, the message was clear: the most active and conscious sections of the masses of people oppose collective punishment, expansionism and apartheid, under the Zionist banner or any other.
“This is my country and I want to show pride for my country,” said Ayah, who attended Friday’s protest. “I don’t want to be part of a country that backs Israel, a terrorist state,” she added.
Ayah and Nagham—both Palestinian-Americans—had come to the protest because they believe US military aid to Israel should be stopped. “It’s a waste of tax money—sending it to Israel, sending it for bombs—when we could be sending it to the poor in this country. Detroit, Michigan, has [so many] poor people, but we’re funding bombs in Israel. Israel has no interest in the Middle East,” said Nagham.
Friday’s demonstration at the embassy ended far past when the organizers had predicted, as the crowd’s enthusiasm carried the rallying calls for a free Palestine into the early evening.
The next day, another militant demonstration carried the day, this time outside the White House. Amid sweltering heat, the demonstrators—though many had lost their voices during the rally the day before —called out just as loudly for an end to U.S. support for Zionist aggression.
In a display of terrific dedication, a third demonstration met in Tivoli Square in Washington’s historically-Latino/a Columbia Heights neighborhood. Taken with the FMLN’s charismatic presence at Saturday’s demonstration, the internationalist mission of Palestinian solidarity rang loud and clear.
PSL D.C. will be holding a Community Forum this Friday, July 18, to raise the banner of the pro-people movement in the same city where millionaire politicians callously sign their blank checks for Israeli militarism. Join us this Friday at 7 p.m. at 617 Florida Avenue!
