Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to converge in D.C. tomorrow for a national mobilization to demand the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu. The demonstration will begin at 11:00 a.m. at 3rd St. NW and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Buses will be arriving in the preceding hours as groups from as far away as Indiana, Georgia and Illinois. Protesters are planning to march following an opening rally. Netanyahu is expected to speak to Congress at 2:00 p.m.
Speakers at the demonstration include a member of UAW’s International Executive Board Brandon Mancilla, Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein, the head of American Postal Workers union Mark Diamondstein, Pastor of Riverside Church Adriene Thorne, and actress Susan Sarandon.
Fortifications have been put up surrounding the Capitol Building, and a major police mobilization is underway. Brian Becker, ANSWER Coalition National Director, said, “It is shameful that taxpayer money is being used to turn the Capitol Building into Fort Netanyahu. Millions of dollars have been spent to fortify the area so that a genocidal war criminal can feel secure. But we will not be intimidated and are determined to exercise our First Amendment rights.”
The national demonstration is organized by American Muslims for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, The People’s Forum, ANSWER Coalition, Palestinian Feminist Collective, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Palestinian American Organizations Network, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Palestinian American Women’s Association, CodePink, Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestinian Assembly for Liberation, and Writers Against the War on Gaza.