No less than three days after the last protest against the war in Iran, the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation mobilized again this past Saturday to struggle against another pointless war.
Having attended both protests, I could tell there was a smaller crowd the last one on June 18th, but at the same time, the energy from the crowd did not falter from the last mobilization at all. Those that came were sharp, dedicated, and militant in their rhetoric and will.
This protest started in front of the Washington Post headquarters on K St. in Washington, DC. Many of the speakers mentioned how they viewed the Post as complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people, as their reporting did not cover the extent of Israel’s crimes and could very well be accused of whitewashing what is happening in Gaza today.
After members from the Party of Socialism and Liberation, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and the DMV Coalition of Students for Justice in Palestine spoke, we took the streets. Though we had around 300 people, it felt like the streets were swarmed with English and Arabic chants. Nothing energizes a protest crowd more than taking the streets; even if technically one is not causing direct change by doing so, it makes one feel part of a mass movement, to be among others that are willing to put themselves on the line for a worthy cause.
The march ended at the White House, where more speakers came to the podium including a member of Neturei Karta International and CODEPINK. During a speech given by an Imam from the Manassas Mosque, a group of counterprotesters came to disrupt and annoy everyone. They barely began chanting when the crowd drowned them out with chants like “free free Palestine!” They soon left with their tails between their legs.
After the speakers finished, we dispersed peacefully. The next major action will be a march on Washington this Saturday, June 28th at 1pm. I anticipate this being a much larger protest, perhaps with crowds in the thousands. I hope to see you there!
Link to Main Protest Website:
No War with Iran Protest Website
Related Links:
Protest Post by the Palestinian Youth Movement, DMV chapter
Protest Videos:
Links to the Organizers’ and Speakers’ Websites:
The Party for Socialism and Liberation
The Palestinian Youth Movement
National Students for Justice in Palestine
PEOPLE BETWEEN WORLDS 
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