Washington, D.C., will play host to both the Capital Pride Parade and the Surround the White House for Gaza protest on Saturday.
Thousands will descend on the nation’s capital, and while the two events do not appear to directly conflict, both gatherings will take place less than a week after pro-Palestinian activists disrupted multiple LGBT events.
In Philadelphia, activists halted the city’s pride parade, and in New York City, protesters rallied against an LGBT group’s gala.
The Capital Pride Parade will start at 3 p.m. in the area around 14th and T Street and welcomes allies and LGBT community members to a tradition that “honors our history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality.”
Approximately three hours before that, at 12 p.m., thousands are anticipated to mobilize outside the White House and demand a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas. Outside the White House, extra fencing has been installed.
“A month ago, Biden said that the invasion of Rafah was a red line. But now, the invasion of Rafah has continued for weeks, has expanded to the entire Gaza Strip, Biden’s red line is nowhere to be seen,” according to the ANSWER Coalition, the group behind Saturday’s rally. “Instead of following through and stopping military aid to Israel, Biden has authorized billions more in weapons shipments to be used to kill and massacre Palestinians.”
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“Biden can’t draw the line, but we can. On June 8, we will come together from across the country and surround the White House. Wearing red, and raising our demands high, we will show the world that we are the red line.”
Demands from the protesters include an immediate ceasefire, an end to the “siege on Gaza,” the release of all Palestinian protesters, and the termination of Israel’s “occupation” of Gaza.
