Advocacy and activist groups like CODEPINK and the Council on
American Islamic Relations said on Friday that demonstrations
were planned on Saturday, marking eight months of Israel's war
in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands while causing a
humanitarian crisis with widespread hunger and destruction.
The United States, Israel's key ally, has seen months of
pro-Palestinian protests ranging from marches in Washington and
vigils near the White House to the blocking of bridges and roads
near train stations and airports in multiple cities and
encampments on many college campuses.
At least eight officials have quit the administration of
President Joe Biden citing their opposition to his policy.
Protesters have also disrupted some of Biden's reelection
campaign events. Biden is currently in France for an official
visit.
"In preparation for the events this weekend in Washington, D.C.,
that have the potential for large crowds to gather, additional
public safety measures have been put in place near the White
House complex," a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said.
Biden and the White House have previously said they support
peaceful protests but not "chaos" and violence.
University protests have had occasional violence while police
have made arrests on campuses to clear encampments. Anti-war
activists encamped at the University of California, Los Angeles,
were violently attacked by a mob weeks ago.
There has also been concern about a rise in antisemitism and
Islamophobia amid the conflict.
The war began when Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas
attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking 250 people
hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 36,000,
according to the local health ministry, displaced nearly the
entire 2.3 million population there and led to genocide
allegations that Israel denies. A renewed ceasefire push seemed
stalled as of Friday.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie
Adler)
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