Hundreds rally outside a New Jersey Federal Courthouse protesting the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil. [Getty]
Mass demonstrations will be held in cities across the US on Saturday, with the largest one planned for Washington, DC to oppose President Donald Trump, and with other major demonstrations in support of Palestinian human rights and free speech.
Protesters are expected to gather in at least 1,000 venues to protest Trump and around 30 cities to demonstrate against US support for Israel’s war on Gaza and against growing crackdowns on free speech, particularly for foreign residents and immigrants, by US President Donald Trump‘s administration.
“We want to show Trump that we’re not afraid. It will be a show of force from people who refuse to be afraid of the crackdown on free speech,” Walter Smolarek, media coordinator with the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), a protest umbrella group, told The New Arab.
“The Palestinian solidarity movement is the main front for free speech,” he said. “Who will they target next? Environmentalists?”
Thousands are expected to descend on Washington on Saturday for a “March on Washington” to support Gaza, many of whom will be taking buses from across the country. So far, around 300 organisations have sponsored the event, with support from labour groups, artists and anti-war veterans.
On the same day, even larger gatherings in a “National Day of Action” will take place across the country to protest policies of the Trump administration, including the dismantling of the federal government, reversals of environmental protections, as well as massive cuts to social welfare, medical research, and cultural programmes.
Prominent speakers of the general anti-Trump demonstration in Washington will include Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin and Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost.
“There’s never been a more important time to come together and commit to advancing global climate justice. We can, and must, keep fighting,” reads a public statement by MoveOn, one of the leaders of the anti-Trump demonstration.
The anti-Trump demonstration as well as the pro-Palestinian march will both be taking place from around 11 am to 3:30 pm near the National Mall and in other major city centres across the country.
