Over 400,000 Show Up For Gaza in DC
CODEPINK joins March 4 Gaza Rally in DC on Jan. 13
“We are not alone! And we will continue to stand in truth and free all oppressed peoples.” — Holly, New Mexico
Donned in pink, CODEPINK supporters joined us from across the country at this weekend’s March 4 Gaza Rally in Washington D.C., organized by the American Muslim Task Force for Palestine.
Those who were in town on Thursday night heard the news of the United States’ illegal bombing of Yemen and were able to quickly mobilize in front of the White House for an emergency protest demanding “Hands Off Yemen.” Exercising their right under international law to intervene in a genocide, Yemen has been preventing cargo ships from getting to Israel in an attempt to stop the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. In this blockade, Yemen has not killed or injured one person. Yet, the United States’ violent response to their act of solidarity has taken several lives.
On Friday, folks in D.C. joined our co-founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans in the Senate to advocate for a ceasefire and end to the genocide. Before the constituents visited their representatives, the group dropped a banner in the Hart building and unfurled a large Palestinian flag. After visiting several offices, the group was able to get a meeting with Senator Laphonza Butler’s office by sitting in until the office agreed.
Nearly 100 CODEPINKers convened on Saturday for the March 4 Gaza rally in Freedom Plaza. The march and rally on Saturday focused on the urgent need for President Biden to secure an immediate ceasefire, stop providing weapons to Israel, and ensure accountability for Israeli officials implicated in crimes against humanity funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars.
For some in our CODEPINK contingent it was their first protest and it left an ever-lasting mark on them.
“I will admit — after tears for the first 60 days and very little sleep, to be in and on purpose with humans from around the world has lifted my spirits,” said Holly Newton from New Mexico. “We are not alone! And we will continue to stand in truth and free all oppressed peoples.” she continued.
CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin was one of the featured speakers at the rally. Accompanied onstage by people with bloodied hands, Benjamin addressed her speech directly to President Biden. From her speech:
“President Biden, when you ignore your own campaign staff who say it is a moral and electoral imperative for you to publicly call for a ceasefire, please don’t wonder why you have lost the support of young people, of the Muslim community, of progressive Jews like myself. Time will not heal this wound. Come November, we will still be grieving, we will still be outraged. Come November, we will still remember.”
Following the massive March 4 Gaza Rally, CODEPINK activists displayed the bloody bodies and limbs of 500 baby dolls outside the White House. Since October 7, the Israeli military with U.S. support, has killed over 10,000 Palestinian children in Gaza. The direct action highlighted President Biden’s continued support and funding for the ongoing genocide Israel is committing in Gaza and his utter disregard for the immense loss and suffering of Palestinians at the hands of Israel.
“Biden is hiding inside the White House protected by a fence, military police, and snipers on the roof while the children in besieged Gaza are left unprotected from Israel’s genocidal bombing that kills five children every hour. That’s around 117 children murdered daily!” said CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans.
“We are here to let Biden know that he can no longer hide from genocide. The blood of the over 10,000 murdered children is on his hands.” she continued.
The whole weekend of action comes off the heels of South Africa’s presentation of its evidence of genocide against Israel. The hearing began Thursday before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Lawyers representing South Africa laid out heavily-cited and well-documented evidence that fits the description of genocide under international law. Such evidence includes *:
Since Israel began its military assault on Gaza, it has killed over 21,110 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 70% of whom are believed to be women and children.
Over 55,243 Palestinians have been wounded in Israel’s military attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, the majority of them women and children.
On average, each day, Israeli forces kill 48 mothers. That’s two mothers every hour.
On average, each day, Israeli forces kill 117 children. That’s five children every hour.
On average, each day, 10 children will have a limb amputated without anesthetic.
CODEPINK has been in the halls of Congress every week since the genocide began advocating for a ceasefire. We have also been a part of national and international campaigns to invoke the genocide convention, led by South Africa. We will continue to organize in coalition with other organizations until the genocide in Gaza ends and those responsible in Israel and here in the United States are held accountable.
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* Note: Since the genocide is continuing with non-stop bombings, these numbers keep rising.