Protesters demand cease-fire at March for Gaza rally in Washington DC

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Tens of thousands of people gathered Saturday in Washington DC for a march and rally to demand a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and an end to US military aid to Israel.

The rally, organized by the American Muslim Task Force on Palestine and ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and Racism), started with remarks from Americans whose families have been killed in Gaza.

Alaa Hussein Ali, from the state of Michigan, said he lost 100 family members, including more than 60 children, in Gaza in what he called a “genocide.”

He said his brother went looking for water for a “dangerous trip” from the north to the south of Gaza, but never came back as he was killed by an Israeli sniper.

“He was shot several times in his chest. And he was found five days later in one of the hospitals in Gaza,” he said.

Adam, who is a Palestinian-American pharmacist from Gaza, said he lost more than 100 family members, including his father, in the Israeli offensive.

“Israel killed a man who loved life, loved peace, loved people, loved nature. And most of all, he loved his grandkids,” he said.

“The tale of each family member who was murdered is a testimony of ongoing genocide of my Palestinian people,” he said. “President Biden can easily put a stop to this genocide.”

“He can easily pick up the phone and call Israel to stop this madness,” he added.

The crowd chanted: “Free Palestine”, “Ceasefire Now”, and “End the occupation” while holding signs that read: “End the war on Gaza” and “Let Gaza Live.”

The rally continued with speeches from prominent activists, community leaders and celebrities before protesters marched through the streets of the US capital.