Human Rights activists plan to protest at the Pentagon Thursday November 9 over Israel’s Gaza war crimes

“Shut it down for Palestine on SHUT IT DOWN FOR PALESTINE: NOVEMBER 9TH; What: Shut Down State Department; Where: US Department of State (2201 C St NW); When: Thursday, November 9th, 2023, 4:00pm; Visuals: Hundreds of protesters gather with signs and banners

The Palestinian Youth Movement, fellow organizations, and community members will gather to shut down the State Department in response to the call for a Global Shutdown for Palestine on Thursday, November 9.

Since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza—which has now killed more than 12,000 Palestinians—organizations and people have been mobilizing from within the heart of US empire to demand an immediate ceasefire, an end to all aid to Israel, and a lifting of the siege on Gaza.

On November 4, hundreds of thousands converged in Washington DC for what is the largest pro-Palestine mobilization in the history of the United States.

The mobilizations will continue en masse until the three demands of the people are met:

1 – An immediate and unconditional ceasefire

2 – The illegal blockade on Gaza be lifted immediately;

3 – The United States cease all military funding to Israel;

While Israel continues to carry out genocidal violence against the Palestinian people, with the full financial, political, and military support of the US government, momentum on the streets and even from international bodies is overwhelmingly in support of a free Palestine and against Israel’s crimes.

Organizations such as the Palestinian Youth Movement, National Students for Justice in Palestine, ANSWER Coalition, The People’s Forum, and International Peoples’ Assembly have called for movements, trade unions, youth, students, media, healthcare workers, and all members of society to increase pressure on our governments. The call for an international shutdown urges more marches, walk-outs, sit-ins, strikes, and other forms of direct action—directed at the political offices, businesses, and workplaces which fund, invest in, and collaborate with, Israeli genocide and occupation.

“We must not wait for history to pass us by. Everyone—regardless of identity or sector—must heed the calls coming from the Palestinian streets and take action against genocide. Fear will not protect us and silence will not absolve us,” said Palestinian poet and writer Mohammed el-Kurd.

“We are calling for a total anti-normalization of Zionism; we want it out of all institutions of political, social, and economic life. If Biden and Netanyahu want to ignore the voices of millions across the globe who are calling for a ceasefire and an end to the 16-year siege on Gaza, then we will make it impossible for them to ignore us. We will continue to fight until any and all material support for Zionism is made unsustainable and ends,” said Yara Shoufani, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement.

Endorsing organizations: Palestinian Youth Movement, Maryland2Palestine, DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Party for Socialism and Liberation, ANSWER Coalition, Diaspora Pa’lante Collective, George Mason University Students for Justice in Palestine, Georgetown University Students for Justice in Palestine, George Washington University Students for Justice in Palestine, American University Students for Justice in Palestine, Peoples Power Assembly, Students for Socialism, International League of Peoples’ Struggles, The Black Alliance for Peace, UMD Students for Justice in Palestine. Anti-Imperialist Action at UMBC