Video and photos from the march on AIPAC

On March 26, 2017, a powerful demonstration was held in Washington, D.C., to stand up to AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) in solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle for justice. At the opening rally in front of the White House, speakers from a wide range of organizations and movements, including march co-sponsors ANSWER Coalition and Al-Awda: The Palestine Right To Return Coalition (Ohio chapter and Midwest affiliates), addressed the crowd as buses, vans and carpools arrived from cities across the country and some arrived from around the world. As the Trump administration gears up to unleash even greater aggression against Palestine, those gathered were determined to make support for Palestine part of the overall fight against the Trump Agenda.

The demonstration marched from the White House to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where the annual AIPAC policy conference was being held. Top-ranking Republicans and Democrats alike were scheduled to speak at the conference, including Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi.

Despite police obstruction and the presence of a small group of violent far-right Zionists, the demonstration was able to make its way right in front of the building where the AIPAC conference attendees were gathering. Earlier in the day, a group of progressive Jewish activists began a demonstration and civil disobedience action at the doors of the convention center to protest Israeli apartheid.

The demonstration showed yet again that wherever supporters of apartheid Israel gather, the people will be there to stand in solidarity with Palestine. In addition to those who rallied and marched, a live stream covered the rally and march for over three hours, and has reached over 200,000 people with nearly 50,000 views (you can still view it here).