A group of pro-Palestine activists has announced plans to “surround the White House” next weekend in protest of the Biden administration’s continued support for Israel’s military action in Gaza. The Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) Coalition, the group behind the planned demonstration, is demanding that President Joe Biden enforce a “red line” on Israel and hold the country accountable for last week’s deadly strike on civilians in Rafah.
As Valuetainment previously reported, Israeli strikes against Hamas targets late last month sparked a massive fire in a nearby tent encampment, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 people and injuring 249 more. The Israel Defense Forces suggested that the blaze was ignited by secondary explosions from Hamas munitions, not the Israeli bombs dropped on the area, but the strike was nevertheless condemned by leaders in Europe, the Middle East, and the United Nations.
The Israeli military released information from the investigation into the Rafah strike: The infographic details where the strike occurred despite Hamas' claim that it was closer to where Palestinians were sheltering. pic.twitter.com/C9jcYufoCF
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 28, 2024
At the same time, the International Criminal Court issued an injunction ordering Israel to halt its military operations—an order that Israel will likely ignore.
Despite the administration’s past threats to withhold weapons and military aid if Israel struck at populated areas, Biden officials claimed that the bombing was not a violation of the president’s “red line” and did not warrant a change of policy. While White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby called the incident “tragic” and “devastating,” delivery of American bombs—some of which were used in the strike—was allowed to continue.
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In protest of the administration’s complicity in the destruction, ANSWER and its affiliate groups are now urging supporters to “get on a bus to DC” on June 8th to “surround the White House for Palestine.”
“June 8 marks 8 months of US-Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people, and marks the 54th anniversary of the occupation of Gaza. A month ago, Biden said that the invasion of Rafah was a red line. But now, the invasion of Rafah has continued for weeks, has expanded to the entire Gaza Strip, Biden’s red line is nowhere to be seen,” the group wrote on its website. “Instead of following through and stopping military aid to Israel, Biden has authorized billions more in weapons shipments to be used to kill and massacre Palestinians.”
“Biden can’t draw the line, but we can,” the statement continued. “On June 8, we will come together from across the country and surround the White House.”
Related: Pro-Palestine Mob Surrounds and Vandalizes White House in Mass Demonstration
ANSWER members are encouraged to wear red to literally embody the “red line” they demand Biden enforce.
“On June 8th, tens of thousands will show Biden that the people are his red line — we refuse to allow him to continue the genocide against the people of Gaza!” said Brian Becker, National Director of ANSWER. “Instead of a red line, Biden gave a green light to Netanyahu’s invasion of Rafah by agreeing to send more U.S. bombs and missiles. While the government that speaks in our name arms the genocidal Israeli regime to the teeth, the people want freedom for Palestine.”
The planned demonstration at the White House will mark the latest in a growing number of protests that have broken out at the executive residence since the Israel-Hamas war began in October of last year. One particularly destructive incident in early November saw an estimated 300,000 protesters swarm the streets of Washington DC and vandalize the White House gates. One group of activists even attempted to tear down the building’s fence to breech the property, but the Secret Service ultimately made no arrests by the end of the night
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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