PHOTOS: 10,000 march on White House to protest Gaza offensive

Thousands converge on Washington, D.C. to protest Israel’s offensive on Gaza.

Text and photos by: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org

Some 10,000 demonstrators march on the White House in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
Some 10,000 demonstrators march on the White House in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

Some 10,000 activists converged on the White House in Washington, D.C. this weekend to protest Israel’s offensive on Gaza. Politico reported that the event may have been “the largest pro-Palestinian march to take place in the United States.” At least two protesters were arrested, one for “climbing a light pole.”

The Washington Post quoted a police spokesperson acknowledging an “exceptionally large number of protesters,” though D.C. police have declined to issue public crowd estimates for years due to the contentious nature of providing such figures.

The Post was itself a target of the demonstration, which began in front of the White House before marching past various sites in downtown Washington. These included offices of Caterpillar, which makes bulldozers used in the demolition of Palestinian homes and has been a target of divestment campaigns.

Some 10,000 demonstrators march through downtown Washington, D.C., to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
Some 10,000 demonstrators march through downtown Washington, D.C., to protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

Young protesters carry signs in support of Gaza as thousands march in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel's offensive, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
Young protesters carry signs in support of Gaza as thousands march in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel’s offensive, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

A protester carries a symbolic coffin to commemorate the victims of Israel's offensive on Gaza as thousands march in Washington, D.C., August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
A protester carries a symbolic coffin to commemorate the victims of Israel’s offensive on Gaza as thousands march in Washington, D.C., August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

Thousands of marchers clogged the streets of downtown Washington, D.C., in a  protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
Thousands of marchers clogged the streets of downtown Washington, D.C., in a protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

A youth shakes hands with a member of the anti-Zionist orthodox Jewish group Neturei Karta as thousands march in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
A youth shakes hands with a member of the anti-Zionist orthodox Jewish group Neturei Karta as thousands march in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

Marchers protesting Israel's offensive in Gaza pass the offices of The Washington Post newspaper in Washington, D.C., August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
Marchers protesting Israel’s offensive in Gaza pass the offices of The Washington Post newspaper in Washington, D.C., August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

A protester carries a poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing lobbying group AIPAC as thousands protest Israel's offensive in Gaza, Washington, D.C., August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
A protester carries a poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing lobbying group AIPAC as thousands protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza, Washington, D.C., August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

A policeman separates a pro-Israel counter-demonstrator from those marching to protest Israel's attack on Gaza, Washington, D.C., to protest against U.S. support for Israel's offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
A policeman separates a pro-Israel counter-demonstrator from those marching to protest Israel’s attack on Gaza, Washington, D.C., to protest against U.S. support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

 

A passing motorist watches as tousands march in Washington, D.C., to protest against U.S. support for Israel's offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children.
A passing motorist watches as tousands march in Washington, D.C., to protest against U.S. support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, August 2, 2014. So far, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,622 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, including 326 children. (Activestills.org)

Related:
Despite ban, hundreds of anti-war demonstrators march in Tel Aviv
Beyond protest: War and the Israeli Left
‘Unprecedented’ violence stalks anti-war demos across Israel

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