Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in major cities around the world on Saturday calling for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict.
In Washington, around 300,000 people demonstrated, filling Pennsylvania Avenue — the street in front of the White House. They protested the US government’s support of Israel and Israel’s continued military campaign in Gaza.
The street was lined with small white body bags, each marked with the name of a child thought to have been killed in Israeli missile strikes, as demonstrators called for an immediate cease-fire.
The organizers said it was the largest pro-Palestinian demonstration in US history.
There were also with 17,000 and 9,000 in attendance, respectively, according to German police. Some 60 arrests were made, including on suspicion of incitement to hatred, police said.
In London, about 30,000 attended the pro-Palestinian rally at Trafalgar Square, according to the police. Many waved Palestinian flags and held placards calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
London police arrested 11 people, including one for displaying a placard that could incite hatred.
Elsewhere in the United Kingdom, there were also protests in Sheffield, Manchester and Glasgow.
In Paris, around 19,000 people rallied, according to French authorities.
chanting “Down with USA” and “Down with Israel” and burnt an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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