Global Solidarity March Expresses Support for Palestinians After Gaza Rocket Attacks
In a powerful display of support, hundreds of Palestinian Americans and their allies gathered at Lafayette Park near the White House on Sunday afternoon. The march, organized in response to surprise rocket attacks from Gaza the previous day, aimed to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
While the majority of demonstrators were Palestinians, individuals from various communities came together to show their support. The diverse group included liberal Jews, Black liberation activists, communists, socialists, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, many of whom attended with their families, young children, and even pets.
Speakers took turns standing in front of the White House fence, passionately expressing their solidarity with Palestinians enduring the harsh realities of Israeli occupation. Representatives from organizations, like Maryland 2 Palestine, shared their perspective on the escalating conflict and emphasized the urgency for action.
The speakers acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the current situation and the message being sent by armed resistance fighters. They spoke of liberation within their lifetime and the inevitable need for retaliation after decades of oppression.
One speaker, Sean Blackmon from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, called out so-called progressives who undermine and stigmatize Palestinian resistance. He asserted that standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people is a necessary aspect of true progressivism.
Throughout the march, participants chanted slogans that reflected their unwavering support for Palestinians’ right to resist occupation. Chants like Resistance is justified when people are occupied, Israel is a racist state, and From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free reverberated through the streets, capturing the determination and spirit of the marchers.
After the speeches, the demonstrators embarked on a march down Constitution Avenue toward the State Department. Police cordoned off the area, redirecting traffic and attracting the attention of passersby who paused to observe and capture the moment, with some even joining the procession.
Among the marchers was Sameh Nasereddine, a Palestinian from Jerusalem who has been residing in the United States since the 1990s. He came out to demonstrate in solidarity with Gaza, a place that has been under siege for years. Sameh expressed frustration with how Palestinians are labeled as terrorists despite their peaceful nature, stressing that his opposition lies with Israeli government policies and not Jewish people.
Sameh’s daughter, Maryam, a recent high school graduate born and raised in Jerusalem, shared her firsthand experiences of the struggles faced by Palestinians. Tear gas, home invasions, and imprisonments have become commonplace for her family members. Maryam’s presence at the march symbolized support for her family and all those suffering in Palestine.
The rally in the US capital was one of many held worldwide following the outbreak of attacks on Saturday. While the rocket attacks from Gaza initially appeared to favor Hamas, they have led to heavy civilian casualties, marking the deadliest attacks on Israel since the 1973 war.
As the death toll for Israelis reached approximately 700 and for Palestinians around 400, a significant difference in proportionality compared to previous conflicts, fears are rising among Palestinians about the uncertain future and what it may entail.
The global solidarity march served as a testament to the support Palestinians have garnered from diverse communities. The demonstrators voiced their rejection of oppression and their determination to see a free and liberated Palestine. International pressure continues to mount as the world watches the conflict unfold, urging a peaceful resolution to end the suffering endured by Palestinians and Israelis alike.
