WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, more than 30 protesters were arrested in front of the White House, according to the U.S. Secret Service. This comes after thousands of pro-Palestinian activists took to the streets of the nation’s capital Saturday to advocate for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza and implored President Biden to end the conflict.
“We need a ceasefire. We need innocent people to stop being killed,” Mohamad Habehh, the director of development for the American Muslims for Palestine – which organized the Saturday rally – told Fox News. “It seems that the Biden administration would rather condemn people calling for peace than try to step in.”
Protestors are detained by law enforcement personnel during a demonstration to support Gaza outside the White House on October 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Ayah Ziyadeh, the advocacy director for the American Muslims for Palestine, told Fox News, “Our U.S. government is literally enabling genocide and pushing Israeli propaganda and we demand a ceasefire immediately.”
“This is mass murder, this is ethnic cleansing,” she continued.
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The “Day of Action for Palestine” event drew over 10,000 pro-Palestinian protesters on Saturday to Washington, D.C., according to the American Muslims for Palestine. Hundreds of Palestinian flags soared as demonstrators marched through the streets before culminating in a rally outside the White House. As rain poured down, a cohort of Palestinians, Americans, some Jewish people and more cheered for the freeing of Palestine and the end of the war between Israel and Hamas.
On Monday, “more than 30 individuals were arrested by the U.S. Secret Service’s Uniformed Division for Unlawful Entry or Incommoding after crossing safety barriers or blocking entrances during a demonstration at the White House complex,” Special Agent Steve Kopek, a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson, told Fox News in a statement.
Pro-Palestine protesters stood outside of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. demanding President Biden broker a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. (Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital)
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Protests against the war between Israel and Gaza are ongoing.
“What’s going on is sad. What’s going on is kids being murdered, killed,” one attendee, Haitham, said on Saturday. “Our government here, they have to stop this war.”
Another protester, Meziane, told Fox News: “There needs to be an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. I think civilian lives need to be protected.”
The American Muslims for Palestine said there were over 10,000 protesters at the demonstration Saturday. (Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital)
Since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently declared war against the group, at least 4,200 people have been killed. At least 2,800 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 11,000 have been wounded, many of which have been children, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Meanwhile, at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 30 Americans have been killed.
Protesters march through Black Lives Matter Plaza toward the White House. (Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital)
President Biden avoided calls for de-escalation while addressing the war in a speech on Oct. 10, vowing that the U.S. “has Israel’s back.”
“We stand with Israel,” Biden said. “And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack.”
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Still, activists demanded the president help de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
“President Biden must declare a ceasefire immediately,” Andy said. “He must tell the Israelis to disengage all offensive actions against the innocent civilians of Gaza.”
Protesters marched from downtown Washington, D.C., to the White House while cheering for Palestinian freedom. (Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital)
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Another protester, Merveen, told Fox News: “Mr. Biden, I thought that old age taught you wisdom.”
“What’s coming from war?” she continued.
Ramiro Vargas contributed to the accompanying video.
