WASHINGTON, Jul 24 (APP): A massive crowd chanting “free Palestine,” “stop bombing Gaza,” and “Netanyahu you can’t hide” gathered Wednesday outside the U.S. Capitol building, the seat of Congress, to protest the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to discourage Congress from further funding Israel’s war in Gaza.
Netanyahu was scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon. The invitation to speak has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian advocates outraged by Israel’s Gaza invasion that health authorities in the battered enclave say has killed almost 40,000 Palestinians.
United States’ Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein spoke to the crowd that stretched for several blocks in front of the Capitol, according to television foot-ages.
Ms Stein, addressing lawmakers, said “How dare you invite this criminal” and called for a cease-fire.“We will free Palestine together,” she said to a roar of cheers and applause.
Police officers from multiple agencies patrolled the area around the Capitol, and a helicopter flew overhead as the crowd, led by various speakers, chanted and waved Palestinian flags and signs. Many protesters at one rally were wearing red shirts and wore black-and-white keffiyehs, which has become a symbol for Palestinians.
One of the rallies was organized by the anti-war group ‘ANSWER Coalition’ along with several partner groups. ANSWER coordinated buses to transport protesters from as far as Illinois and Atlanta for the demonstration, according to its website. The group encouraged attendees to wear red in order to form a “red line” around the Capitol building.
Organizers on a stage outside the Capitol said at least six nearby intersections were being “occupied” by protesters, a number they expect to grow as more demonstrators show up.
The crowd erupted in cheers when speakers thanked Democratic lawmakers — their number not yet known — who decided not to boycott Netanyahu’s speech.
Prominent Hollywood actresses Susan Sarandon, speaking at the ANSWER rally, called on people “to reject the normalization of genocide.”
She read off a list of death tolls of health care workers, journalists and U.N. Staff.“We hear you and will raise your voices,” she and the crowd said in unison to the people in Gaza.
Ms. Sarandon has been outspoken against the war in Gaza for months. Last year, she was dropped from a Hollywood talent agency after speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally.