A huge pro-Palestine protest at the White House has descended into chaos with smoke bombs let off and attendees claiming they were maced.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday calling for a ceasefire on Gaza.
Video shows smoke billowing in front of the White House as a speaker delivers a speech to a crowd calling Israel a ‘butcher of Gaza’.
Independent journalist Ford Fischer shared a photo of his bloodshot face claiming that mace had been deployed on the crowds during an attempted arrest.
In another clip cops can be seen making their way through the throngs to shouts of ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘f*** the police.’
A huge pro-Palestine protest outside the White House has descended into chaos with smoke bombs let off and attendees claiming they were maced
Video shows smoke billowing in front of the White House as a speaker delivers a speech to a crowd calling Israel a ‘butcher of Gaza’
Cops were seen making their way through the throngs to shouts of ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘f*** the police’
Activists were bussed across state lines to attend the huge rally, which marks eight months since the war began.
More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s strikes on Gaza, which began in the wake of the Hamas attack of October 7 which killed 1,200 Israelis.
The chaos unfolded as Biden was out of the country on an official visit to France.
Protesters unfurled a giant red banner bearing victims’ names which they used to surround the White House as part of the demonstration.
The Secret Service said it had enacted safety measures including erecting anti-scale fencing ahead of the demonstration.
Due to crowds gathering at Lafayette Square Park, several roads have been shutdown.
The 1600 Block of H Street NW from 17th St NW is blocked off until further notice.
The White House previously stated it supports peaceful protest only.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday calling for a ceasefire on Gaza and criticizing Biden’s handling of the situation
Activists were bussed across state lines to attend the huge rally, which marks eight months since the war began
The US State Parks Department said it was not aware of any arrests yet.
The US, Israel’s key ally, has seen months of pro-Palestinian protests ranging from marches and vigils to the blocking of bridges and roads near train stations and airports in multiple cities and encampments on many college campuses.
At least eight officials have quit the administration of President Joe Biden citing their opposition to his policy.
Protesters have also disrupted some of Biden’s reelection campaign events.
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