Reflections from November 4th’s March on Washington: Free Palestine
A Historic Moment Sparks A Movement
If someone would have said in 2014, that one day 300,000 people would converge onto the United States Capitol demanding Palestinian liberation they probably would have been laughed at and mocked. However, since Oct. 7th, Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza has been no laughing matter and it has galvanized millions around the world to march, rally, protest, disrupt the systems that are upholding Israel’s blatant ethnic cleansing project. The outpour of support and advocacy for the people of Gaza has been loud and visible and on Saturday it made history as the largest day of international solidarity for Palestine in history.
Hundreds of CODEPINK peace activists were in D.C. where the largest rally and march for Palestine at our nation’s capital became a historic and pivotal time in anti-war history with an estimated 300,000 in attendance. The unified message from the energized crowd to the White House and Congress was clear: stop supporting and funding genocide in Gaza.
Nour Jaghama, CODEPINK’s Palestinian organizer, stood on stage with CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin and delivered a powerful speech during the event, emphasizing the need for immediate action to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. The two on stage together represented the intergenerational and inter-ethnic feminist vanguard for peace and justice in Gaza.
“One of the most prominent questions we need to ask ourselves is: why we can hear these words and first hand accounts from Gaza yet the genocide still continues? Why do only 18 representatives and ONLY ONE senator support a ceasefire? And why does President Biden insist on funding Netanyahus genocide,” Nour asked the crowd of nearly one hundred thousand attendees.
She then aimed her questions directly at President Biden, “Is this how you want to be remembered? A genocidal, destructive, warmonger? Shame! Look at this crowd, clearly the American people do not agree with your genocidal plans. You must call for a ceasefire now or solidify your position as one of the most inhumane presidents in American history. The American people demand a ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and the full liberation of Palestine.”
In the sea of white, green, and red cladded Palestinian supporters was a touch of pink — or rather a touch of “CODEPINK.” CODEPINKers from across the country stood together on Saturday united for a ceasefire, an end to the siege, and a cessation of the annual $3.8 billion genocide funds to Israel from the United States.
There was a large presence of mothers and their children among the massive crowd, making it clear that mothers do not support genocide!
“As a mother of two small children myself, I cannot fathom the carnage and grief that’s besieging the young children of Gaza and their families, and has for decades and generations. Therefore, yesterday, I was proud to stand in solidarity with CODEPINK and tens of thousands other like-minded individuals of conscience to demand a ceasefire, a lift of Israel’s siege on Gaza, and that our tax dollars no longer fund such wreckage and ruin through the cessation of US foreign aid to Israel. I hope one day to live in a just and equitable world in which a Palestinian child’s life is considered as precious and valuable as that of all other children, and that black, brown and indigenous sovereignty and lives come to be fully respected and appreciated.” shared CODEPINKer Joy Freeman, who was in attendance with her daughter.
Michelle Ellner, CODEPINK’s Latin America coordinator was also there with her daughter.
“Seeing my own daughter participating in the march, I couldn’t help but reflect on how drastically different her life is from that of a child in Gaza. Yet, in the most profound ways, they are still the same. They both deserve peace, safety, and the opportunity to build a bright future. No child should have to grow up terrified for their lives every day.”
Also a part of the CODEPINK contingent with one of CODEPINK’s newest organizers, Cale Holmes who runs the China Is Not Our Enemy campaign.
“It was so invigorating to be out in D.C. on Saturday, supporting a mass mobilization for a ceasefire and a free Palestine. The Palestinian struggle is a struggle for humanity. It is the struggle of a people who teach the world revolutionary optimism on a daily basis. U.S. and Israeli aggression will not suppress that. But it has murdered thousands of people and displaced more than a million in just the past month. So as Americans, it’s our responsibility to hold our government accountable.”
Cale has always been inspired by his uncle whose antiwar activism and that inspiration led him to being in that crowd on Saturday
“My uncle is a life-long peace activist who protested the wars on Vietnam and Cuba back in the 60s and 70s. It was my honor to carry on his legacy this past weekend, and continue the African-American political tradition of peace and anti-imperialism.”
Over on the West Coast, our Bay Area CODEPINK chapter took part in a sister rally that was the largest progressive march the city has seen in a very long time, with the crowd estimated in the tens of thousands!
The relationship between two generations of CODEPINK anti war organizers on stage together, between mothers and their children in the crowd, and the ties between a Vietnam anti war activist and his nephew show the ever-growing strength of this movement. Palestinian liberation is a multigenerational, multi-ethnic movement. Millions around the world are finally standing together for Palestine and that is why liberation is more possible than ever. The historic moment on Saturday will be known as the spark that set world fire and will hopefully finally free Palestine.
There is no going back now — people are energized, organized, and ready to be mobilized now more than ever. Our time is now. Palestinian liberation’s time is now.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading! We are in a critical moment. There is an active genocide happening in Gaza. Palestinians across all occupied territories are being ethnically cleansed. And it is all happening before our eyes. We cannot just sit by and watch this happen. We urge everyone to be active in ending this genocide. Here are some ways you can participate in the international demand to Free Palestine!
Join more upcoming CODEPINK events here.
Check out False Media Narratives on Palestine: FAQs Debunking the Misinformation.
Elbit is Israel’s largest weapons supplier. Learn more and distribute our informational flyer here.
Sign up to join our Telegram Channel for breaking news, community updates, chats and more.
If you live in the U.S., email Congress to vote NO on more “aid” to Israel!If you live outside the U.S., please sign our petition here.
Shop our CODEPINK Palestine t-shirts.
With love and solidarity,
The CODEPINK Staff
