The March on Washington for Gaza was a pro-Palestinian protest march that took place in Washington, D.C. on January 13, 2024. 1 The event was organized by the American Muslim Task Force, a coalition of anti-Israeli organizations 2, and was endorsed by over 200 similar groups. Organizers claimed that over 400,000 were in attendance during the rally. 3 4
Several speakers at the event included independent 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West, Green Party 2024 presidential candidate, Jill Stein, Colorado State Rep. Iman Jodeh (D), and former U.S. State Department official Josh Paul. 5
Background
Following the Hamas terrorist attack against the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, several left-of-center pro-Palestinian advocacy groups including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) criticized Israel’s military response and the resulting Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The day before the March, CAIR sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding the U.S increase pressure on Israel to call for a ceasefire while holding Israeli officials “accountable” for what the letter called “the Gaza genocide.” 6 7
Several of the demands from the March organizers were similar, which included supporting an immediate ceasefire, ending, an end to U.S military aid for Israel, and holding, “Israel accountable for war crimes committed against the Palestinian people.” 8
Organizing Groups
The March on Washington for Gaza was organized by the American Muslim Task Force on Palestine, a coalition left-of-center organizations including American Muslims for Palestine, CAIR, the Islamic Circle of North America, the Muslim American Society, the Muslim Student Association-National, the Muslim Legal Fund of America, the Muslim Ummah of North America, Young Muslims, and Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. 9
Participating Organizations
During the March, several individuals reportedly accused President Joe Biden and the United States of participating in “genocide” against the Palestinian people in Gaza. 10 Other protesters reportedly chanted, “F*** Joe Biden” while others held signs calling for an end to U.S aid for Israel in support of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. 11 12
References
- “Home.” March4Gaza. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/
- “Home.” March4Gaza. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/
- Allison, Ismail. “UPDATE: 200+ Groups Endorse Jan. 13 ‘March on Washington for Gaza’ in D.C., Says American Muslim Task Force on Palestine.” CAIR. January 5, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/update-200-groups-endorse-jan-13-march-on-washington-for-gaza-in-d-c-says-american-muslim-task-force-on-palestine/
- Allison, Ismail. “CAIR Commends 400,000+ Marchers for Historic Turnout at March on Washington for Gaza.” CAIR. January 13, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-commends-400000-marchers-for-historic-turnout-at-march-on-washington-for-gaza/
- Jackman, Tom, Diaz,Olivia, et. al. “March for Gaza rally draws thousands to D.C. on Saturday.” Washington Post. January 13, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/01/13/march-for-gaza-dc-rally-israel-hamas-war/
- Helmore, Edward and Yang, Maya. “Thousands march on Washington to demand ceasefire in Gaza.” The Guardian. January 13, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/13/march-on-washington-ceasefire-gaza
- Allison, Ismail. “March on Washington for Gaza Supporters Send Letter with Demands to President Biden.” CAIR. January 12, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/march-on-washington-for-gaza-supporters-send-letter-with-demands-to-president-biden/
- “What We Want.” March4Gaza. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/what-we-want/
- “Home.” March4Gaza. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://march4gaza.org/
- Turner, Tyrone. “Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in D.C. march to demand cease-fire in Gaza.” NPR. January 13, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/01/13/1224641296/gaza-dc-march-ceasefire-israel-protest
- [1] Mayes-Osterman, Cybele and Cuevas, Eduardo.
“Thousands at Saturday protest in Washington DC call for Israel-Hamas cease-fire.” USA Today. January 13, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/13/march-on-washington-for-gaza-saturday/72192571007/
- Kessler, Will. “‘F*ck Joe Biden’: Huge Pro-Palestinian Protest Ends Up At Biden’s Front Gate.” Daily Caller. January 13, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://dailycaller.com/2024/01/13/thousands-pro-palestinian-protestors-downtown-washington/