A swarm of pro-Palestinian supporters shouted “fuck Joe Biden” slogans as they nearly tore down a reinforced fence in front of the White House during an intense protest Saturday night.
Non-essential personnel were evacuated from the area as a precaution as the aggressive demonstration escalated, the Secret Service confirmed.
Video shows the crowd shaking the fence so violently that a section of it partially broke away as a horde of Secret Service police pushed back to prevent protesters from entering the grounds.
Some protesters threw water bottles and broken sticks of their Palestinian flags at the officers, while others tried to jump over the fence.
“Fuck Joe Biden!” The protesters shouted.
“Break it down! You support the murder of children!
The anti-climb fence suffered some “temporary damage,” but the actual White House fence and adjacent buildings were left intact, a Secret Service spokesperson told The Post.
“The issues were quickly repaired on site by US Secret Service support teams,” said Lt. Paul Mayhair.
Protesters called for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas. Wid Lyman/X More than 23,800 people have been killed in Gaza during the 100 days of Israel’s counteroffensive attacks. AFP via Getty Images
“As a precaution, some media members and staff near Pennsylvania Avenue were temporarily relocated while the issue was addressed.”
No arrests were made.
The Secret Service had erected the fence hours earlier in anticipation of the demonstration in front of the White House, which was the planned culmination of a march through Washington, DC calling for an end to Israeli military action in Gaza.
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Thousands of protesters participated in the demonstration, some holding signs that read: “No votes for genocide Joe,” “Biden has blood on his hands,” and “Let Gaza live.”
Biden has supported Israel and approved an “emergency sale” that sent nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth $106 million to the Jewish state last month.
The demonstration focused primarily on the significant death toll in Gaza that has accumulated in the 100 days since Israel retaliated for Hamas’ surprise attack on its civilians on October 7.
Protesters temporarily damaged the anti-lime fence that was erected before the march. AFP via Getty Images A protester waves a Palestinian flag with the White House in the background during the “Gaza March on Washington” on January 13. AFP via Getty Images
More than 23,800 people in Gaza – nearly two-thirds of whom are women and children – have been killed during Israel’s counterattack campaign, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.
Israel declared war in response to Hamas’ unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, in which the Islamic militant group killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 250 hostage.
There are an estimated 132 hostages still being held in Gaza.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn