WASHINGTON — At a rally Saturday to show support for Palestinians, a small but powerful voice cut through the deep, collective roar of the protesters’ chants, “Long live Palestine!” screamed a young boy, maybe 6 years old. He was among thousands of protesters gathered in a downpour in Lafayette Square, right across from the White House.
While the participants ranged from young children in face paint to security volunteers that gave out hugs along with their instructions to stay off the main road, the protesters joined each other to show solidarity with Palestinians.
I could hear “Free Palestine!” and “Cease fire now!” from blocks away. The rain didn’t deter hundreds of people from gathering in Lafayette Square for “A Day of Action for Palestine.” pic.twitter.com/8YF9pKBuXK
— Juliann Ventura (@juliann_ventura) October 14, 2023
One attendee, Yoosif Mohamed, came with his family, including his son who broke his arm two days prior. Despite his injury, the first-grader marched alongside his family while holding the Palestinian flag with his good hand.
“It’s too early for them to get exposed to this,” Mohamed said, “I try to make it simple. ‘There’s a conflict. There’s civilians who are dying, we have to stop it.’ We have to show the world there is a way to peace.”
Demonstrators were alarmed by a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel declared war against Hamas, the day after the Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7. More than 1,400 Israelis and at least 3,000 Palestinians were killed.
The demonstrators expressed concerns about Israel’s blockade on essential supplies. Palestinians in Gaza cannot access basics including food, water, electricity and fuel, according to the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
“Even if you try to call your friends, they’re not answering because they don’t have any electricity to charge their phones or to have any means of communication,” Mohamed said.
In the first several days of airstrikes, the Israeli Air Force said it “dropped about 6,000 bombs against Hamas targets.”
“They’ve been using white phosphorus bombs, which is illegal under human rights and international law. Yet, they continue to do it with the support of United States tax dollars. So, we’re here to say we want an end to that, as well as an end to the occupation,” said one Palestinian-American protester. The 21-year-old asked to remain anonymous because she, like other pro-Palestinian Americans, was concerned about safety.
Human Rights Watch, a human rights nonprofit, confirmed Israel’s illegal use of the white phosphorus, a highly flammable chemical capable of burning people “down to the bone.”
Groups that organized the protest stressed that recent violence comes after decades of conflict.
“Since 1948, Palestinians have been dealing with the oppression of the Israeli government. And since 1948, the United States has been supporting Israel’s crimes against the Palestinians,” said Mohamad Habehh, the development director at American Muslims for Palestine, one of the groups that organized the protest.
One demonstrator, Hannah Paperno, held a cardboard sign that said “Jews for Palestine.”
Paperno said that although most Jewish people grow up being told that Israel is their “homeland,” not taking action would conflict with her Jewish identity.
“It’s really important for Jewish people to stand with Palestinians and show that we’re not okay with what’s being done in our name. Because right now, it’s being labeled as antisemitic to criticize the Israeli government, when Israel doesn’t represent Judaism,” she said.
Hannah Paperno holds her sign, wet from the rain, at the Day of Action for Palestine in Washington on Oct. 14, 2023. (Juliann Ventura / Medill News Service)
For the 21-year-old protester, attending the Day of Action was an opportunity to express her desire for the end to the same Israeli-occupation that caused her parents to leave the West Bank.
“I have friends who have family in Gaza and I feel for them as much as I feel for my own family,” she said. “At the end of the day, we’re all Palestinian and we all have a connection, even those that were kicked out in 1948, who have no family in Palestine.”
She added, “This isn’t something that’s new. This has been happening for 75 years of occupation. I hope people continue to wake up to what is happening and speak out and use their voice.”
Demonstrators hold signs as they march for Day of Action for Palestine in Washington on Oct. 14, 2023. // Haajrah Gilani for Medill News Service.