Thousands marched on Saturday, Nov. 4 in support of Palestinians.
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
Demonstrators flooded the streets of the District during the “National March on Washington: Free Palestine!” rally organized by the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition.
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
Protesters behind a “End All U.S. Aid To Israel” sign.
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
“We want our message to be loud and clear to (President Joe) Biden, ‘We’re not complicit in this war,'” one demonstrator told WTOP.
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
Thousands took part in a prayer at Saturday’s rally in support of Palestinians.
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 4: People rally during the “National March on Washington: Free Palestine” while calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at Freedom Plaza November 4, 2023 in Washington, DC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that there will be no ceasefire or pause in hostilities in the Gaza Strip until all of the hostages held by Hamas are released.
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Protesters rally during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
With the U.S Capitol n the background thousands of protesters rally during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Anti-war activists carrying a mock coffin march to the White House during a pro-Palestinian demonstration asking for a cease fire in Gaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Demonstrators gather during a rally in support of Palestinians in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza the following day. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP)
(Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators gather in front of the White House during a rally in support of Palestinians in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza the following day. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP)
(Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators gather in Freedom Plaza during a rally in support of Palestinians in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza the following day. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP)
(Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Anti-war activists lay on the ground white sack representing the bodies of people killed in Gaza during a pro-Palestinian demonstration asking to cease fire in Gaza, at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Anti-war activists protest outside of The White House during a pro-Palestinian demonstration asking for a cease-fire in Gaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
On Saturday afternoon, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of the District in support of Palestinians.
The “National March on Washington: Free Palestine!” rally organized by the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition brought together protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Many wore traditional Palestinian black-and-white checkered keffiyeh scarves on their heads and shoulders.
One of the demonstrators — Jenene from Indiana — insisted that Palestinian voices be heard.
“We want our message to be loud and clear to (President Joe) Biden, ‘We’re not complicit in this war’,” she told WTOP.
The purposes of the rally and march, according to the coalition, were to demand a cease-fire in the war, end federal aid to Israel and “end apartheid.”
“What we want is we need an immediate cease-fire. You have too much death that’s happening on a day-to-day basis,” said Jamel Zayyad, a protester who traveled from Chicago.
Organizers also held a vigil at Lafayette Park.
“Our hearts and prayers are with everybody in Gaza,” one demonstrator said.
In the hours after the rally, D.C. police said that several minor incidents, including property damage, were among those reported during the protest.
“The Metropolitan Police Department handles hundreds of protests, demonstrations, and other events every year, and we support and facilitate people safely and peacefully exercising their First Amendment right to protest,” Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith said in a news release.
The department said officers arrested an adult male for the destruction of property located in the 700 block of 17th Street. D.C. Police said their officers were investigating acts of vandalism at McPherson Square Metro Station and some police vehicles.
On Oct. 7, Hamas unleashed a barrage of militant soldiers on hundreds of civilians in southern Israel. The Associated Press reported that at least 1,400 people died on the Israeli side, mainly civilians during that initial attack.
Since then, Israel has launched counterattacks on the Gaza Strip with airstrikes that have caused considerable destruction to buildings and neighborhoods. As a result, over 9,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and in the West Bank, The Associated Press reported.
Solidarity demonstrations are also gathering this weekend across the country in major cities including Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City and Portland.
Whether anchoring the news inside the Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center or reporting from the scene in Maryland, Virginia or the District, Dick Uliano is always looking for the stories that really impact people's lives.
Tadi Abedje is a freelance digital writer/editor for WTOP. He was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Northern Virginia. Journalism has been his No. 1 passion since he was a kid and he is blessed to be around people, telling their stories and sharing them with the world.
