Thousands of Palestinian supporters and critics of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war descended on Washington on Wednesday in opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before and during his address to a joint meeting of Congress, drawing a massive police response as they marched around the city.
Though most demonstrators walked and chanted peacefully, there were some clashes with law enforcement, and D.C. police and Capitol Police said they arrested 15 people in total. The U.S. Park Police arrested eight people.
Outside Union Station, pro-Palestinian protesters set an American flag ablaze, along with an effigy of Netanyahu, and spray-painted the Christopher Columbus fountain and adjacent Liberty Bell reproduction with messages like “Free Gaza,” “All zionists are bastards,” and “Free Palestine.” Police appeared to hit some demonstrators with a chemical irritant at multiple points during the day.
Demonstrators calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians marched toward the Capitol but were blocked by police from getting closer to the building. Then they headed toward Union Station, where protesters removed American flags outside the rail terminal and hoisted Palestinian flags in their place. Cheers rang out as the final flag was raised.
Demonstrators rallied near the Capitol before marching toward the building ahead of Netanyahu’s address to the joint session of Congress. After blocking a nearby intersection, protesters chanted, “Shut it down!” as they marched behind a banner that said “Globalize the student intifada.”
Thousands of people weaved through streets carrying Palestinian flags and signs with messages such as “Arrest Netanyahu” and “End all U.S. aid to Israel.”
“Bibi, Bibi, We’re not done! The intifada has just begun!” they shouted, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. Other protesters chanted, “Netanyahu, you can’t hide. You’re committing genocide.”
Outside Union Station, protesters climbed a flag pole and chanted “Shame on you” as police dragged somebody away. At least two people were seen being treated for the effect of chemical agents to the eyes.
