Activists shut down at least a half-dozen major roads in Washington, D.C., during Thursday morning rush hour and marched through the streets to demand an end to U.S. military support for Israel. Police arrested roughly two dozen protesters.
Protester: “War criminals in the building behind us need to stop funding genocide, and funding our communities. We don’t have healthcare. We don’t have public education. People are dying on the streets while our government is sending $3.8 billion to genocide and kill doctors and students and teachers and babies in the hospitals. There’s a genocide going right now that our government is funding.”
In Canada, activists blockaded all access points for the Port of Vancouver, calling on the government to enact an arms embargo on Israel following the International Court of Justice ruling last week that there is a plausible risk that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Meanwhile, over 800 officials across the U.S., the U.K. and the EU released a joint letter of dissent today, saying, “Our governments’ current policies weaken their moral standing and undermine their ability to stand up for freedom, justice and human rights globally.”
The Chicago City Council narrowly voted Wednesday to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire. Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote, which was met with an eruption of cheers from activists who had gathered in the hundreds at City Hall to support the measure. Rev. Jesse Jackson was also present to show his support. At least 47 U.S. cities have passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
