Protesters Demanding Gaza Cease-Fire Blocked Biden’s Route To Capitol Ahead Of SOTU

On Mar 8, 2024

A gaggle of protesters calling for a cease-fire within the conflict in Gaza on Thursday gathered close to the White House and the U.S. Capitol forward of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union deal with earlier than a joint session of Congress to point out their opposition to the president’s dealing with of the continuing battle.

Protesters blocked Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., alongside the route Biden’s motorcade normally takes from the White House to the U.S. Capitol, reportedly forcing the president to take an extended route.

Demonstrators staged a sit-in on Pennsylvania Avenue, with many holding banners studying “CEASEFIRE” and “BIDEN’S LEGACY IS GENOCIDE,” as they demanded an finish to the violence that has to date killed over 30,000 Palestinians, in keeping with native officers.

This comes as talks between Israel and Hamas for a brief truce forward of the holy month of Ramadan have to date stalled. A Hamas spokesperson mentioned these talks would proceed subsequent week, in keeping with The Associated Press.

Hundreds of demonstrators demanding an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip unfurled a large Palestinian flag and staged a sit-in on a major roadway President Joe Biden would normally use to reach the U.S. Capitol, just minutes before he is set to address a joint session of Congress on March 7, 2024. — Hundreds of demonstrators demanding a direct cease-fire within the Gaza Strip unfurled a big Palestinian flag and staged a sit-in on a serious roadway President Joe Biden would usually use to achieve the U.S. Capitol, simply minutes earlier than he’s set to deal with a joint session of Congress on March 7, 2024.

A pool report ready by reporters touring with the president mentioned his motorcade didn’t move by “any large protest groups” on its strategy to the Capitol however mentioned protesters could possibly be heard from the White House throughout his departure.

Earlier Thursday, in keeping with The Washington Post, police arrested a person “who allegedly revved” his automobile’s engine towards these gathered to name for an finish to the conflict.

“I’m only 18 years old! I’m only 18 years old!” the person was heard shouting, the Post reported.

A young man drives his Fort convertible right in front of a protest where advocates of a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war protest at different locations in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2024. The man was immediately surrounded by law enforcement and arrested. — A younger man drives his Fort convertible proper in entrance of a protest the place advocates of a cease-fire within the Israel-Hamas conflict protest at completely different areas in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2024. The man was instantly surrounded by regulation enforcement and arrested.

On the House flooring, progressive lawmakers, together with Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the one Palestinian-American consultant in Congress, and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) held indicators studying “lasting ceasefire now” and “stop sending bombs,” respectively.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) hold up signs reading "Lasting Ceasefire Now" as President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on March 7, 2024. — Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) maintain up indicators studying “Lasting Ceasefire Now” as President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union deal with to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on March 7, 2024.

Bush additionally introduced Intimaa Salama, a grasp’s scholar at St. Louis University who was born and raised in Gaza, as her visitor at Thursday’s occasion.

Salama, who has misplaced 35 members of her household because the conflict started, informed HuffPost’s Rowaida Abdelaziz the White House has “blood on its hands” over its strategy to the battle.

“They can’t undo this, but they have the power and responsibility to save lives,” Salama added.

Some lawmakers additionally wore white labels with the quantity “153” written on them, in reference to the variety of days Hamas has held on to hostages it took throughout its Oct. 7 assault on Israel, which additionally killed about 1,200 folks.

Apart from Washington, protesters took to the streets in cities throughout the nation, together with Los Angeles and Boston, in keeping with Reuters.

Meanwhile, Biden throughout his deal with mentioned he has ordered the U.S. navy to determine a brief port in Gaza to extend the circulation of urgently wanted humanitarian assist to Palestinian civilians.

This comes as a motion for Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in primaries to ship a message to Biden over his dealing with of the conflict has been selecting up steam. Over 19% of voters in Minnesota’s main on Super Tuesday voted “uncommitted,” after about 12% of Michigan Democrats did the identical final week.