Last night dozens of pro-Palestine individuals and groups disrupted Vice President Harris’ rally at the Ellipse on the grounds of the White House with chants of “Stop Arming Israel!” and “Arms Embargo Now!” Some also waved banners with the message “Stop Arming Israel;” others waved Palestinian flags. The protesters were quickly grabbed by security and roughly forced out of the event, but not before claiming the attention of the Vice President with their message.
“At a time when the U.S. is bankrolling Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, our only option is to disrupt people in power - like Harris - who could stop the destruction of Palestine’s people and land, but choose not to,” said Olivia DiNucci, who participated in the disruption. “The Vice President has ignored overwhelming popular opinion and instead continued to support genocide by representing an administration that funnels billions of dollars to Israel. That money should be going to healthcare, housing, climate justice, and reparations for communities the U.S. has harmed in this country and abroad."
A majority of Americans support a ceasefire in Gaza and arms embargo on Israel, yet the Biden administration continues to provide military support and political cover to Israel.
“We demand an immediate ceasefire, an arms embargo on the state of Israel, an immediate end to the siege on Gaza, the freedom of all Palestinian prisons, and an end to the occupation of Palestine,” said Sarah and the Palestinian Youth Movement.
Participants in the disruption included the DC for Palestine campaign, DCLocal2Global, DMV Dissenters, CODEPINK, and ShutdownDC, Palestinian Youth Movement as well as individuals unaffiliated with any group.