Protesters from across the country descended upon Washington, D.C., on Saturday afternoon, surrounded the White House, and clashed with police officers while calling for Hamas terrorists to kill Israelis.
"We don’t want no two states, we’re taking back 48," the keffiyeh-clad demonstrators can be heard yelling in video taken by the Washington Free Beacon. The demonstrators blocked traffic for several hours as they stretched around the White House, holding a red banner symbolizing a "Red Line" they say Israel crossed. The agitators blocked exits used by the Secret Service, called for the destruction of Israel, scaled monuments, and vandalized nearby statues.
"We don’t want no two states, we’re taking back 48." pic.twitter.com/p6D3rVygSn
— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) June 8, 2024
Throngs of protesters came to D.C. from across the country to "join the 2 mile long ‘People’s Red Line," as advertised on social media by the People’s Forum, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and the Answer Coalition. The groups condemned President Joe Biden for allowing Israel to invade Rafah and continuing to supply the Jewish state with military aid.
The highly organized demonstration reflects the far-left wing of the Democratic Party’s embrace of terrorists amid their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. After Oct. 7, Biden described the United States’ support for the Jewish State as "rock solid" and "iron clad." Since then, however, he has capitulated to his party’s progressive faction by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and withholding arms from Israel.
"F— Israel. Stand with Hamas," read the sign of a demonstrator.
Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida and the al-Qassam Brigades—which carried out the Oct. 7 terrorist attack—were also celebrated, with calls to "kill another soldier now!".
"Al-Qasam make us proud. Kill another soldier now!" pic.twitter.com/y4vcK0VHC4
— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) June 8, 2024
White House spokesman Andrew Bates defended the right to peacefully protest but condemned endorsing Hamas.
"President Biden has always been clear that every American has the right to peacefully express their views," Bates said in a statement. "But he has also always been clear that anti-Semitism, violent rhetoric, and endorsing murderous terrorist organizations like Hamas is repugnant, dangerous, and against everything we stand for as a country."
Protesters harassed police officers who were deployed to keep chaos to a minimum, chasing them across Lafayette Park while chanting "these f—ing pigs have got to go."
"Kill pigs," a protester wrote in large red graffiti, in reference to police officers.
In the aftermath of the demonstrations, Lafayette Park was left littered with trash and vandalized with calls for the genocide of Jews. On one statue, the protesters wrote "Death to Amerikkka," "Death to Israel," and "Death to Zionists!"
Protesters also commended Hamas and wrote the actions of the terror organization were "justified."
Aftermath of anti-Israel Red Line protests @WhiteHouse
"Israel go to hell, Hamas is justified"
"Death to Amerikkka"
written on a statue in Lafayette Square pic.twitter.com/S506LVaOkR
— Meghan Blonder (@Meghan_Blonder) June 8, 2024
"Israel go to hell, Hamas is justified," protesters scribbled on a statue.
"Long live Hamas. F-- IOF. Muslim 4 Hamas," penned another protester.
"Long live Hamas. Fuck IOF. Muslim 4 Hamas." pic.twitter.com/NSaIBnDJPp
— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) June 8, 2024
Some agitators even wore PFLP and Hamas headbands as they proudly burned an American flag.
The pro-Hamas protest coincided with the D.C. Pride Parade, which took place just a block away from the White House. While some demonstrators displayed Palestinian and pride flags in support, one held a sign that read "Fags 4 Hamas."