"Arrest Netanyahu! Arrest the War Criminal!"
CODEPINK Joins Thousands Across the Nation in Protest Over Netanyahu Visit
CODEPINK held actions around the U.S. Capitol and White House this week to protest the visit of the wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu. The days of action were part of a nationwide mobilization to D.C. to demand Netanyahu be arrested for war crimes, including his role in the genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians through the illegal occupation of Palestine.
On Monday, we started the week off by making last-minute stops to members of Congress, asking them to boycott Netanyahu's address and to symbolically arrest Netanyahu through the halls of Congress, reminding those who are deranged enough to attend a session with a war criminal with an international arrest warrant.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for him and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense of Israel. Just last week, the ICJ, U.N.'s highest court, released its findings that Israel's settlement policies, exploitation of natural resources, and continued occupation of Palestine violate international law, ordering reparations for damages as well as an end to Israel's occupation.
Netanyahu is a war criminal! He shouldn't be able to walk free, much less address the United States Congress. Any member of Congress who claims to care about peace, justice, and human rights should have boycotted his visit.
We were outside and inside the Watergate when he and his entourage arrived in D.C. With a very clear message: War Criminals not wanted here!" We had our handcuffs and arrest warrant to carry out his arrest, but Mossad agents, IOF, and the Secret Service heavily guarded him.
While waiting for members of the CODEPINK contingent to arrive, our co-founder Jodie Evans took us on a tour of "Fort Netanyahu." Our tax dollars paid for the largest security perimeter seen in D.C. in a while - and it was all for a man who is committing mass murder.
"The security arrangements for one person, Benjamin Netanyahu, surpass those implemented for 32 heads of state during the recent NATO anniversary," explained Ann Wright regarding the excessive militarized response to nonviolent outrage against Netanyahu's visit.
Tuesday evening, we joined an UNWELCOME NETANYAHU Noise Rally so he couldn't get away with being in D.C. without some friction. There seems to be no friction on his bombing of Gaza; nothing gets in his way, but we were in his way from the moment he arrived. He heard the message along with everyone with him; the hotel was vibrating with the noise.
Wednesday morning, we started early with our banners and chants at the hotel exit, and he saw us! We were just feet from where his car had to turn, behind a giant mesh metal wall, but we were there with the message and our voices. War Criminal - You belong in the Hague. Some of us were in positions around the city to block Netanyahu from getting to his morning meeting and then the Capitol. Even with "Fort Netanyahu," we could block off ten intersections, forcing his motorcade to take different routes.
We are glad he heard our voices of rage at his inhumanity and psychopathic murder of the innocent Palestinian people.
The CODEPINK contingent gathered with others from around the country for the Arrest Netanyahu Rally and March. During the rally, we staged a citizen's arrest and then turned our attention to Krys Cerriser, our fearless East Coast and WING organizer, and their amazing speech, which energized us for hours. We were there with our arrest warrants to serve Netanyahu on behalf of the American people and staged a "citizen's arrest" via street theater. After that, we turned our attention to the rally where CODEPINK'S fearless East Coast and WING organizer, Krys Cerisier, gave an inspiring speech to the energized crowd: "We are the people, and the people are what represents peace, freedom, and liberation."
After the uplifting and inspiring rally, CODEPINK broke off early to make our way as close to the Capitol as possible. We found ourselves right next to the police, who decided to break up the gathering with pepper spray and a flashbang. As one CODEPINK contingent member described, "There are more police officers than there are protesters and they're terrorizing us just like the IDF terrorizes people in Gaza and Palestine."
Their brutality did not deter us; we continued to march, block streets, and perform our street theater. Everything ended at Union Station, where the mass was successful at holding back the police, and at the three flag stations, activists raised three Palestinian flags.
After a day of letting Netanyahu know we see him for the genocidal war criminal he is, the CODEPINK contingent gathered together to celebrate and nourish our bellies at Busboys and Poets.
On Thursday, we continued hanging banners and making noise at the Watergate Hotel.
At 10 a.m. before the last vote of Congress this summer, we brought flowers and love to the courageous Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Watching her sit alone and speaking truth to Netanyahu inspired our hearts. We wanted her to feel our gratitude. She had done that on her birthday, so we were able to sing the CODEPINK birthday song, bringing joy and laughter to the congresswoman.
The day ended as the summer had started, with one final congress birdogging.
"Fort Netanyahu was out of a dystopian film. I talked to Taxi drivers who have been there for 30 years, and they said they have never felt anything like it. This is what happens when a war criminal comes to town. It exposes that the people are not happy, and those in power are at his service. It was a delight to keep his entourage up all night and make life more difficult for him at The Watergate. How much did all that cost the taxpayers?" explained CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans, who was in town for the protests.
The dissent was not limited to D.C. CODEPINK chapters across the country, which actions and events in solidarity.
On Tuesday, in Madison, Wisconsin, CODEPINK members joined a coalition of anti-war organizations in asking their Senators, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, not to attend a congressional address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The group gave speeches outside the senator's offices, and the protesters went in and spoke to Baldwin's staff.
They emotionally pleaded with the staff about the need to end the genocide and the unspeakable loss of life in Gaza.
On Wednesday, In San Francisco, CODEPINK protested e in front of Senator Laphonza Butler's office, where Benjamin Netanyahu was symbolically "arrested" and "convicted." Around 100 people gathered, reading the seven International Criminal Court charges against Netanyahu, including the murder of children and journalists and causing deliberate starvation. The crowd declared him "GUILTY AS CHARGED" for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
A 60-foot long "Peoples' Red Line" displayed the names of 60 children murdered by Netanyahu and others, including Biden, Blinken, Padilla, Butler, Pelosi, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. This visual display was then carried to Senator Padilla's office at 333 Bush St., where solemn peace activists created a children's memorial with photos, kids' shoes, flowers, and shroud-wrapped bodies.
Over in San Pedro, CODEPINK organizers held a protest outside of the Federal Building in Los Angeles to demand that Representative Ted Lieu stop supporting Israel and call for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CODEPINK San Pedro was joined by Justice4Palestine-LA, Westside4Palestine, and dozens of Lieu's constituents. The group performed street theater, held signs, and chanted messages as Lieu applauded Netanyahu's address in Congress.
Also on Wednesday, Inland Empire CODEPINK members took their protest to their representative Norra Torres for her continued support of the genocide and for attending Netanyahu's congressional address. They started the day off with a banner drop-off at the 10 FWY and Dudley St. overpass, calling out Rep. Torres's support for the genocide.
On Thursday, LA, constituents protested outside Rep. Brad Sherman's telephone town hall, which is being held instead of an in-person town hall, thereby avoiding direct confrontation over his support of extremist Zionist policies.
"Brad Sherman has consistently, throughout his political career, shown his support for Israel over the needs of his constituents," said Linda Milazzo, protest organizer and West Hills resident. "And that is obvious in his enthusiastic support for Netanyahu's appearance today."
Regardless of the standing ovation Netanyahu received in Congress on Wednesday, the people see him as a war criminal, and they showed up by the thousands this week to demand his arrest. He may be safe back home in Israel now, but we will never stop fighting for peace and justice for Palestinians and accountability for those who are committing and allowing this genocide to happen. Free Palestine!
