Anti-Israel protesters descended upon the White House on Saturday, engaging in violent and destructive behavior. Demonstrators defaced a statue near the White House, hurled objects at a National Park Service ranger, and defaced statues. The protest escalated into a hostile confrontation, with protesters targeting park rangers with verbal abuse and physical threats. They also defaced the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square next to the White House with red handprints, symbolizing the “blood” on Biden’s hands.
The protest was initially peaceful, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags, chanting slogans, and holding signs urging Biden to end his support for Israel. However, the situation quickly turned violent as demonstrators became more aggressive. They formed a human chain around the White House, which they referred to as “the people’s red line,” a reference to Biden saying Israel has not crossed his “red line” in the war.
The violence and vandalism prompted a strong response from law enforcement, who erected additional barriers around the White House to prevent further incidents. Several arrests were made, and the situation was eventually brought under control.
The protest was organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), and it was the most significant of Saturday’s D.C. demonstrations. The protesters’ actions drew condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, who denounced the violence and vandalism.
President Biden, who was in France at the time of the protest, has not yet commented on the incident.
