Thousands fill Washington's streets to protest Israel's war in Gaza during Netanyahu visit
Police deployed have deployed pepper spray as a large crowd protesting Israel’s war in Gaza marched toward the U.S. Capitol, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s is speaking to Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people protesting Israel’s war in Gaza marched Wednesday in Washington, chanting “Free, Free Palestine" as they filled blocks of city streets and police used pepper spray on demonstrators while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress.
Demonstrators calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians marched toward the Capitol but were blocked by police from getting closer to the building. Then they headed toward the Union Station, where protesters removed American flags outside the rail terminal and hoisted Palestinian flags in their place. Cheers rang out as the final flag was raised.
Demonstrators rallied near the Capitol before marching toward the building ahead of Netanyahu’s address to the joint session of Congress. After blocking a nearby intersection, protesters chanted, “Shut it down!” as they marched behind a banner that said “globalize the student intifada.”
Thousands of people weaved through streets carrying Palestinian flags and signs with messages such as “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all U.S. aid to Israel.”
