Thousands of left-wing protesters gathered in downtown Washington on Saturday at a rally calling for an immediate cease-fire of the Israel-Hamas war and charged President Biden with being complicit with genocide.
The massive crowd carried rippling green, white, red and black Palestinian flags, with many wielding signs reading “Abandon Biden” and chanting that the president was partaking in genocide, gathered at Freedom Plaza just a few blocks from the White House.
The rally, which was put on by the American Muslims for Palestine, featured numerous speakers throughout the day, including presidential candidates Jill Stein, who is running on the Green Party ticket, and Cornel West, an independent candidate.
“Let me say personally to Biden and company, you’re not just enabling, you’re not just facilitating, you’re not just coagulating and cooperating with [the] vicious crime of genocide, that makes you war criminals yourselves,” Mr. West said. “You oughta be shamed.”
Mr. West’s sentiments were met with a roaring cheer from the densely packed crowd, and spoke to a deeper problem for Mr. Biden: his support from the left is crumbling heading into this year’s election.
A New York Times poll released last month showed that about 57% of voters disapprove of Mr. Biden’s Israel policy, compared to 33% who do.
Rally-goer Henry Hubbard told The Washington Times that it was clear that Mr. Biden would face ramifications for his stance on Israel in the upcoming election.
“I think that it’s clear people are starting to lose faith in the Democratic Party in general,” Mr. Hubbard said.
The Biden administration has strongly supported Israel in the war since Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, providing munitions and urging Congress to pass a $110 billion aid package that includes billions of dollars in aid for the Jewish state.
The last few months of fighting in the Gaza Strip has left more than 23,000 Palestinians dead, and some 60,000 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
One protester, who only gave the name David to The Washington Times, carried a homemade sign that read “Joe Biden: This genocide is on your hands.” David said that the president has gone out of his way to support the Israel-Hamas war and that he was responsible for the “destruction and deaths.”
He wasn’t sure whether Mr. Biden would suffer in the 2024 election from his stance on Israel but believed that more voters favored a cease-fire in the conflict.
Recent polling shows that more Democratic and young voters overwhelmingly favor a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, a stance Mr. Biden has not publicly taken.
“There’s a disconnect between the extent to which, you know, that view is held by our representatives, and … how many Americans feel that way,” he said.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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