Tons of of demonstrators held a pro-Palestinian rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, chanting “Free Palestine” and “Lengthy dwell the intifada” as they protested Israel’s conflict in Gaza and Lebanon whereas marching from Pershing Sq. to Metropolis Corridor.
The largely peaceable demonstration got here two days earlier than the anniversary of Oct. 7, when Hamas militants in Gaza attacked Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.
Throughout Los Angeles, the anniversary shall be marked by commemorations for the victims, candle-lighting ceremonies, demonstrations and counter-demonstrations.
Over the past yr, Israeli navy operations in Gaza — and extra just lately, in opposition to the Hamas-allied militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon — have been the main target of protests. Greater than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died in Israeli retaliatory assaults, in line with the Gazan Well being Ministry. Its figures don’t distinguish between combatants and civilians, however they point out that greater than half of the useless are girls and youngsters.
A toddler holds a Palestinian flag whereas sporting a kaffiyeh on the Pershing Sq. rally.
(Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Instances)
There gave the impression to be as many as a thousand folks on the demonstration Saturday, although police didn’t give a crowd estimate. The scene was stuffed with Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Audio system known as for an finish to U.S. support to Israel and a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon.
At Metropolis Corridor, a protest chief led the group in a chant of “There is just one resolution, intifada revolution!” Banners learn “Finish the Siege of Gaza” and “Arms Off Yemen.”
Police weren’t a conspicuous presence on the rally, nor was the presence of counterprotesters. Los Angeles Police Officer Jay Chaves mentioned there was one arrest reported on the occasion, for vandalism.
A demonstrator holds a headless doll on the rally.
(Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Instances)
Massive pro-Palestinian crowds gathered all over the world Saturday, with protests involving 1000’s in European cities. Protests grew to become violent in Rome, and police responded with tear gasoline and water cannons.
In a joint public service announcement, the FBI and the Division of Homeland Safety warned that the Oct. 7 anniversary “could also be a motivating issue for violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators to have interaction in violence or threaten public security.”