Washington: Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied in the streets of downtown Washington DC, on Saturday afternoon, marching to the gate of the White House to protest the Biden administration's support of Israel and its ongoing military actions in Gaza.
The group of protesters, mostly young people, chanted slogans such as "We don't want a Jewish state. We want '48!" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," while wearing black and white keffiyehs and holding Palestinian flags.
The chant is a reference to the 1948 Arab-Israel War when five Arab armies attacked the fledgling state of Israel seeking its destruction.
Upon reaching the White House, the protesters sprayed red paint on the northwestern gate of the residence, to symbolise bloodshed in Gaza. The street was lined with dozens of small white body bags bearing the names of children who had lost their lives, while protesters held signs demanding an immediate ceasefire.
The protestors rattled the gates of the White House and one of them climbed part of the fence to wave the Palestinian flag. They accused President Joe Biden of "supporting genocide" and demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to US aid to Israel.
The protesters, at least 10,000 in number, also covered the General Marquis de Lafayette Statue in nearby Lafayette Park with graffiti and Palestinian flags.
Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza grew louder as Israel escalated its attacks.
According to the Palestine Health Ministry in Gaza, over 9,400 Palestinians lost their lives in the territory since October 7 during Israel's retaliatory actions following Hamas' attack on Israel.