Staff Reports
President Joe Biden has positioned himself firmly behind the reinforced fencing encircling the White House grounds amidst a surge of protests against Israel. The demonstration on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., saw groups like the Answer Coalition calling for a tougher stance against Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Dressed in red attire and keffiyehs, protesters wielded a "two-mile long" red banner, aiming to compel the Biden administration to set a "red line" concerning Israel's military operations. As the protests intensified, an encampment emerged in the Ellipse park area south of the White House.
🚨#BREAKING: Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters and activists are lighting off smoke bombs and flares as they plan to Surround the White House
⁰📌#Washington | #DCCurrently, DC metro police are on high alert as hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters and… pic.twitter.com/gIVBU7HJ4G
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 8, 2024
Some protesters displayed support for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group at the center of the recent hostilities, and footage showed smoke bomb flares being thrown onto the White House lawn.
Additionally, graffiti reading "Free Gaza" and "Boycott Israel Products" marred the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square. In preparation for the anticipated large gatherings, supplementary security measures, such as additional fencing, were implemented.
🔴BREAKING The pro Palestine Protest(riot/insurrection) Outside the White House in D.C. has tagged the statue of Andrew Jackson with their Gaza B*** S***
This is Biden's America. pic.twitter.com/d1htzTNKui
— Kelly_Zee_Wolf (@PKellyHardwa822) June 8, 2024
Although President Biden had previously voiced opposition to erecting physical barriers, the increased security measures surrounding the White House provided protection during the protests. The fencing was erected in anticipation of demonstrators who have been known to incite violent actions, according to reports.
Oh… I thought walls were racist? 🧐@joebiden has erected a wall
Outside of the White House ahead of the pro-HAMAS protests that are scheduled to take place today in DC. Organizers called for the participants to surround/ occupy the White House.— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) June 8, 2024
This move by the Biden administration comes at a time when the nation's southern border remains vulnerable. The contrast between the security at the White House and the open southern border has raised concerns about the administration's border security priorities.
The ongoing demonstrations and security measures highlight the importance of the 2024 election, with former U.S. national security advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn warning that an election might not even take place. The need for support to uphold American values and combat the influence of big tech in media has been emphasized.
