July 24, 2024

With nearly 40,000 Palestinians killed thus far, protesters flooded the streets of Washington D.C. as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to address Congress on July 24. Organized by the ANSWER Coalition the Palestinian Youth Movement, the People’s Forum, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, thousands of protesters from all over the country gathered in front of a stage with the United States Capitol Building in the background where Netenyahu spoke to Congress. Thousands chanted and cheered and roared as numberous activists took to the stage and called for the arrest of Netenyahu and the end of all United States aid to Israel. As the speakers came to an end the protesters prepared and took to the streets, and met with an immediate roadblock on their way to the Capitol. As one of the leaders tried to get the protesters to charge through the barricade of police, pepper spray was dispersed over the crowd, sending protesters scattering. Diverted from the path to the Capitol, the march led to Union Station where Police with bikes lined the entire front of the building. In a frenzy, protesters took over Columbus Circle in front of Union Station, with little police interference to begin with. Three tower flags poles were taken over and the American flags were replaced with Palestinian flags and hoisted up. In a ring of protesters the American flags were burning along with a paper mache sculpture of Netanyahu. The Freedom Bell and Christopher Columbus statue were both defaced with spray paint, protesters writing things like “Hamas is coming", “This is Biden’s America,” and “No Justice No Peace.” Flash Bangs were shot in the air to try and disperse the crowd, but to no avail. Eventually, with a larger police perimeter, tear gas was launched, bringing the demonstration to an end.

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