Tens of thousands have joined pro-Palestinian protests across the United States. Experts say they are growing

People take part in a protest for Palestine outside of Tyson’s Corner on Black Friday in Virginia This week, dozens of protesters unfurled banners that read “‘Aid to Israel = Bombing Palestinians” in the Senate Hart Office Building at the Capitol while chanting “cease-fire now”. Police soon arrested them. Not far away at the White House, a group of 18 elder Jewish protestors –wearing t-shirts that read “not in our name” chained themselves to the fence. Across the country in Los Angeles, a group of protesters blocked a downtown freeway while wielding a banner calling for a “permanent cease-fire”. These were only some of the most recent of hundreds of pro-Palestinian and anti-war protests across the United States since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Protest demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel’s attack on Gaza, in Los Angeles Protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel’s attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023. REUTERS/David Swanson This current wave of protests on behalf of Palestinians represents some of the largest on this issue in the United States, where, historically, most Palestinian solidarity activism has existed among some minority communities, university campuses and the political fringe. According to experts who spoke to the PBS NewsHour, this swell of protest is the result of a number of factors, including growing pro-Palestinian sentiment among younger people, the mounting civilian toll in Gaza from Israel’s military response, and more people being drawn into activism through issues like reproductive rights, Black Lives Matter and concerns about democracy. WATCH: Israel meets renewed resistance from Hamas amid pressure to reduce civilian casualties The protests, and their messages, have also been criticized by pro-Israel organizations and politicians, some […]

Click here to visit source. Tens of thousands have joined pro-Palestinian protests across the United States. Experts say they are growing