Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered Monday at the homes of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, hoping to disrupt Christmas morning for President Biden’s two top foreign affairs officials.
“Austin, Austin, rise and shine, don’t sleep during the carnage!” protesters are heard shouting in one of several clips shared by far-left organization The People’s Forum.
Another clip shows protesters chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” widely understood as a genocidal call for Israel and its people to be wiped off the map.
Another video shows protesters chanting “Free Palestine,” along with demands for a cease-fire by the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip.
The People’s Forum has opposed the Israeli military’s response to the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas against the Jewish state, which killed about 1,200 people — including 33 Americans.
The group also helped organize the infamous October 8 rally in Times Square, where Israeli flags were burned and swastikas were waved at pro-Israel protesters.
Austin has traveled to Israel several times since October 7 and helped run the Biden administration’s logistical and military support to the Jewish state.
It was unclear whether he or Sullivan were home during the demonstration.
“Pro-Palestinian activists showed up at the home of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and harassed him, and his entire neighborhood, this Christmas morning,” non-partisan group Stop Antisemitism said. write on X.
Lloyd Austin has publicly supported Israel in line with President Biden’s policies. via REUTERS
“We’re not sure who needs to hear this but harassing a four-star general who has served his country his entire career will not ‘Free Palestine.'”
In a group chat to encourage locals to come to the demonstration, activists vowed there would be “No Xmas as usual during the genocide!”
Protesters ostensibly marched in Lloyd Austin’s neighborhood. X / @PeoplesForumNYC
“No member of this administration – from those who fund to those who armed to those who co-signed the genocide – will be allowed to rest while they enable the Zionists [sic] invasion of Gaza. Join us NOW! No rest for imperialist war criminals!” them write in a private Telegram chat.
Eventually, police intervened and threatened arrest, prompting the crowd to disperse and head to the DuPont Circle neighborhood in Washington, DC, according to the Telegram channel.
In DuPont, activists held a rally near Sullivan’s home making similar demands on him to press for a cease-fire.
Jake Sullivan has held several high-level meetings with key players in the Middle East since the war broke out. REUTERS Protesters accuse the Biden administration of supporting genocide. X / @PeoplesForumNYC
People’s Forum Sullivan explained as “other war criminals.”
The Post reached out to the City of Falls Church Police Department and the DC Metropolitan Police Department for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The Biden administration has taken heat from the left for its staunch support of Israel and its pledge to destroy Hamas.
However, the White House has privately pleaded with Israel to begin operations within weeks, and pay more attention to civilian casualties.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
