Thousands of people are currently participating in a pro-Gaza rally, known as the March for Gaza, in Washington, DC. The event, organized by advocates for Palestine, began at Freedom Plaza and is expected to culminate at the White House later this afternoon. The size of the crowd is truly overwhelming, with attendees flooding the surrounding streets and even extending beyond Freedom Plaza. Organizers have arranged for buses to transport thousands of participants from various states to join the demonstration.
This rally bears a striking resemblance to a previous pro-Palestine rally that took place at Freedom Plaza in November. Despite the passage of two months, the core message of the protesters remains unchanged. They are united in their calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the Biden administration to re-evaluate its unwavering support for Israel, urging an end to military funding.
The attendees include passionate voices like that of a Palestinian-American woman who shared her personal experience of losing family members in Gaza. She mentioned having voted for President Biden in the 2020 election. However, she expressed her doubts that he would gain her vote in 2024 unless the administration changes its position on the Gaza conflict.
Earlier this week, the Biden administration announced its willingness to listen and engage with progressives advocating for a ceasefire. However, according to a staffer who is present at the rally, she does not believe the administration is currently heeding these voices. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that a gathering of this magnitude, taking place just a few blocks away from the White House, would be hard to ignore.
The march will soon progress through the streets of Washington, DC, en route to the White House, where the protesters plan to stage their rally. Currently, there is an ongoing program featuring speakers who are shedding light on the situation in Gaza. The term 'genocide' has been frequently used during the program, which is intended to exert political pressure on the Biden administration amidst the ongoing election.
Given the immense size and determination of this crowd, it remains to be seen whether their passionate pleas will prompt any changes in the Biden administration's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The rally serves as a powerful display of solidarity and a reflection of the urgency felt by many individuals across the country who are deeply concerned about the violence and suffering in Gaza.