Thousands of protesters gathered in cities across the United States, from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles, on Saturday, demanding an immediate ceasefire as the Gaza war approaches its one-year mark. The protests took a dramatic turn when a man attempted to set himself on fire in Washington as a form of protest.
These demonstrations were part of a global day of action against the war, which has intensified with Israel extending its military operations into Lebanon.
The recent war began on October 7 last year when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to figures from Israeli officials. In response, Israel’s military bombardment in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 41,825 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, according to the health ministry in Gaza, a figure the UN and many other organisations have confirmed as reliable.
In Washington, over a thousand protesters gathered outside the White House, calling for an end to U.S. military and financial aid to Israel. The protest turned tense when a man set his left arm on fire, shouting, “I’m a journalist and we neglect it, we spread the misinformation,” before being rescued by bystanders and police. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
In New York, thousands marched through Times Square, many carrying photos of those killed in Gaza. Cornel West, a prominent rights activist and independent U.S. presidential candidate, joined the protests. “We are here to stand against a vicious genocide,” Cornel West said, calling the war an example of ethnic cleansing.
Protesters in both Washington and New York expressed frustration with U.S. support for Israel, with many condemning the billions in military aid the U.S. sends to the country.
The protests were echoed in Los Angeles, where demonstrators held signs demanding an end to the “genocide” in Gaza.