On the 19th of January, the so-called “March4Life” marched on the Supreme Court in Washington DC. Both on the Mall and at the Supreme Court they faced solo or paired counterprotesters with loud bullhorns. On the Mall, cops removed them but at SCOTUS they were able to stay put.

Some of the lowlights of the march were “Make more Babies” signs carried by a number of marchers, and the appearance of the Christian Nationalist group “New Columbia Movement.” They met up with Patriot Front, but here the crowd drew a line.

Citing the fact that Patriot Front was at Charlottesville (as American Vanguard) other forced-birth marchers jeered them. As the march began, they threw in the towel and left: a few (presumably Rousseau and his top henchment) by a rented U-haul truck and the rest by Red Line Metro. They got off at Shady Grove.

Also present were signs supporting the “White Rose Resistance” a name associated in the past with clinic bombing, and other signs mentioning guns or with variations on the Gasden (rattlesnake) flag. These imply potential militia activity around abortion.

On the 18th of DC, a covert action team sucessfully entered the “March4Life expo” staged by organizers of the next day’s big march for forced birth and fetal personhood. Fliers were left in strategic locations, and stickers applied where they were sure to be seen.

There were many examples of extremism on display inside, notably someone boasting about having been conceived through rape.

As for “pro life,” this was a big indoor unmasked event during the annual winter covid and flu surge in DC.

On the day before the annual forced-birth march in Washington DC, antiabortion extremists netted a very tiny turnout of maybe a dozen or so at the White House. They did also attract a counterprotester.

Tomorrow, it is supposed to snow all day on the forced-birther’s main event.

On the 15th of January under steady snow, the annual MLK day parade marched in Anacostia. A mixed group of protesters marched near the front-and pulled off to the side just blocks short of the reviewing stand area.

Lining the sidewalk with protest signs showing, peoir let MPD (Metropolitan Police Department) pass in silence. Soon therafter was the Mayor’s contingent, and protesters opened up with chants of “Kids out of Cages.”

DC Media Group’s report, posted here as their own site is down

For the Iron Snowflake report with more detail on the fracas at the riot fence outside the White House, see https://ironsnowflake.blackblogs.org/2024/01/14/march-on-washington-for-gaza-reportback/

Washington, DC—Tens of thousands rallied in Freedom Plaza and marched through the Nations Capital in support Palestinians in what may be the biggest action ever taken here on behalf of Gaza. Awashed in a sea of waving Palestinian flags—black, white, green, red—speakers with relatives in Gaza told of the carnage unfolding in the occupied territory and warned many more innocents would be lost if hostilities did not soon end. Many wore Kufiya scarves wrapped around their shoulders and partially covering their faces. More carried signs with messages such as, “Stop the Genocide,” “Stop Funding Apartheid Now,” and “Free Palestine.”

The action was organized by American Muslim Task Force for Palestine, with many organizations such as CAIR, Muslin American Society, Young Muslims, and Answer, taking part. Speakers urged international support be given to Gaza which is suffering the onslaught of a lopsided military campaign. Speakers demanded the Biden Administration stop all military aid to Israeli forces and put more pressure on the Israel government to implement a permanent ceasefire. Their messages were also streamed over foreign media services and published on social media for those in Gaza, although it was unlikely very many could receive them since electronic communication inside Gaza was said to be cut off or limited.

The organizers originally planned to rally on the National Mall, however a heavy winter storm saturated the ground and necessitated a move to Freedom Plaza which was dry. Thousands squeezed into the plaza, which itself is one of the largest public spaces available for stationery protests in Washington DC. Even so it was crowded and difficult to access so thousands more occupied the surrounding streets.

Adjacent to the plaza, at the Wilson Building, home of DC Government Administration, someone taped a Palestinian flag to the arm on the statue of former DC Mayor Marion Berry and wrapped a Kufiya scarf around his neck. Across the square, a group of Palestinian youths swayed to old songs sung by an elder about their struggle and living with courage in Gaza. In other places around the square groups paused for afternoon prayers while speakers and protesters fell silent out of respect.

After speaking the thousands lined on 14th Street and marched through Washington DC towards the White House. Along the route police stood in lines to guard Starbucks coffee shops.

Starbucks has become a focus of a targeted economic boycott for its support of the Israeli government. This boycott has extended to other retail giants such as McDonald’s fast food chain and BAE Systems, a technology and aerospace company providing support to the Israeli Defense Forces. The campaign (https://bdsmovement.net/get-involved/what-to-boycott) to boycott, divest, and sanction has been an ongoing resistance tactic to bring economic pressure on the Israeli government for its blockade of Gaza.

The blockade has cost an estimated $16.7 billion in lost economic revenue since the Israeli government began its blockade in 2007, according to a UN report (https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1078532) published in 2020. Currently there is an 100 percent unemployment rate as the Gaza economy has collapsed. Much needed food and medical supplies have been reduced as Israeli Defense Forces have closed off the territory and allowed access at only one point.

Meanwhile, in Lafayette Park at the White House activists built an art installation to depict what life was like in Gaza amidst the bombing, destruction and occupation. The display contained broken cinderblocks laid in a long pile to mimic destroyed homes, hospitals, businesses, and schools. Between and behind the blocks were dozens of teddy bears. A periodic sound recording of explosions simulated the bombing of Gaza. Nearby a tank filled with red water symbolized the 11,000 children lost thusfar to the continuing bombing of Gaza. An activist added a bottle of red paint to the tank to symbolize the 270 daily average deaths in Gaza since the war began on October 7. A desk with paper and pens was set up for particpants to leave notes to families of the children killed in Gaza by the bombings.

The teddy bear motif is a local DC custom where families leave teddy bear memorabilia and written messages to their deceased kin in tree boxes near sidewalks where younth have been slain by gun violence. A spokesperson for the installation told DCMG they did not seek nor were they issued a permit for the installation, which was in itself an act of defiance. No officers of the Secret Service or the National Park Service attempted to force activists to remove the installation, which was a day-long event. Typically such installations are not permitted at that location.

A banner was also attached to the fence reading “Palestinian Children are not collateral damage.”

Later, as marchers reached Lafayette Park many remained past dusk. A group broke off from the main march and gathered along the fence and tensions rose. They shook a 10-foot barrier metal fence put up the day before. Authorities had erected it about 20 feet outside the Iron fence lining the lawn of the North Portico of the White House. Secret Service responded to keep the protesters from breaching the fence. But protesters’ defiace was driven by a growing sense of desperation for the welfare of Gazans and disillusionment with the Biden Administration’s diplomatic and military support of the Israeli government. No matter what Israeli government actions have been with respect to the Gaza occupation, the Biden Administration has supported it both politically and militarily. Several others distributed “Drop Biden” signs.

As night fell, and tensions continued growing in the park, Secret Service were dispatched to a portion of the fence to keep protesters from breaching the outer temporary metal barrier. There was one report of an arrest in Lafayette Park for an empty holster and nearby police reportedly pepper-sprayed a protester.

The war between Hamas and Israel is nearing its 100th day. Based upon the October invasion of Gaza, a blockade of Gaza imposed by the Israeli government since 2007, and the ensuing degradation of livability there, South Africa has filed a petition (https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192) before the International Court of Justice alleging Israel is committing Genocide in the occupied Gaza territory. In it’s application (https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240112-pre-01-00-en.pdf) South Africa argues Israel should immediately suspend its military operations and take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.

The application was filed (https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdf) on December 2023, and supported by all the 57 members of Organization of Islamic Countries, The Arab League, Bolivia, Columbia, Brazil, Jordan, Turkey, The Maldives, Namibia and Pakistan.

Uncountable numbers of munitions have been dropped on Gaza, many of which are unguided “dumb bombs” which have a high probability of missing targets and kill and injurie many innocents caught in crossfire. The structural damage to Gaza is also incalculably extensive as well—Gaza has a growing resemblance to the destroyed cities of Germany during WWII.

Unguided munitions used by Israeli Defense Forces account for nearly 50% of bombs used on Gaza, according to a published report (https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/13/politics/intelligence-assessment-dumb-bombs-israel-gaza/index.html). The report was the result of a U.S. intelligence assessment verified by three CNN sources.

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel and taken hostages, 100 of which remain unaccounted for. Lebanon has also fired rockets into Israel in sympathy with Gaza. Israel has attacked Lebanon as well. Most recently, and in the last few weeks, Yemen has become involved in the war as Houthi rebels launched drones and guided missiles towards shipping lanes in the Red Sea. In response, an Alliance of Western nations led by the U.S. and U.K., attacked radar sites and bases in Yemen over the last 2 days. Houthi military commanders promised a massive response in retaliation.

With escalating tensions and military activities spreading, the region continues to stumble towards a runaway regional conflict.

The UN has reported (https://unric.org/en/the-un-and-the-crisis-in-the-middle-east-gaza/) that 85% of Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced as a result of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with over 23,000 killed and 56,000 injured, many of them women and children. On Friday the UN met to discuss the Middle East crisis. “The UN relief chief told ambassadors that any Gazans forced to flee the enclave must be allowed to return “as international law demands.”

On the 13th of January, a massive march in solidarity with Gaza assembled on DC’s Freedom Plaza and from there proceeded to the White House. Chants of “Genocide Joe” frequently rang out.So many people attended the march that lead elements arrived at the White House while the last marchers were still on or leaving Freedom Plaza!

Action lasted long past sunset. As the sun set the energy rose-and the White House security lights came on. As smoke flares burned, the fence shook and water bottles flew over the 10 foot riot fence the cops set up in front of the normal White House fence. At one point, cops behind the fence charged but drew back as more bottles flew. This may have been a bluff charge.

One person reported being pepper sprayed by cops but they seemed to be OK. One arrest or detention occurred during earlier the march, supposedly for an empty holster.

I later heard a report later of a “fence breach”-and that nonessential staffers had been ordered to leave the White House. Both of those are unconfirmed but plausible given the energy of the protest. In every way it reminded me of the first night of the Uprising in DC back in 2020. That was the night protesters succeeded in driving Trump into his bunker. If the reports pan out and especially if Genocide Joe also fled to his bunker, that first night of the Uprising in DC has been matched.

On the 31st of December, pro-Palestine protesters in explicit solidarity with the defense of Gaza gathered at City Hall in St Petersburg, Florida. That particular City Hall has passed a number of resolutions supporting Israel’s war and was called out as having done so.

Once marchers got moving, the march started out on sidewalks presumably for defense against car ramming attacks. When the march was just a couple blocks from the festivities, the march took the streets.

As marchers proceeded parallel to the festival area, cops decided to divert the march onto the sidewalk. They pushed the march onto the more easily reached right side sidewalk-and closer to the intended targets. Now there was no need to telegraph intentions by crossing from one sidewalk to the other or even by leaving the streets for the sidewalk. We were already there! A quick right turn, and the whole march was making a noisy pass through the festival.

The ever-popular “while you’re shopping, bombs are dropping” chant was used a lot. Also heard was a special chant supporting the true military solidarity of the Houthi fighters in Yemen, who have declared a sea blockade of Israel and fire on any ship bound for Israel from the Red Sea. Thus an added chant was “Yemen, Yemen, make us proud! Turn another ship around!”

If Gaza can be blockaded, so can Israel.

Two nights before New Year’s Eve, Critical Mass Orlando took to the streets with hundreds of riders and bikes. Central Florida Queers for Palestine rode as a special contingent in the ride.

2023 was a tough year in the trenches for many in the US. This was a year of fireand smoke not only globally but domestically as well. The long-discussed “cold civil war”in the US seems not to be quite as cold as it’s used to be. Much of the menace of 2020 has returned.

Notable events include:

Before the year could even begin, the last week of 2022 features four threatened drag shows and the defense of them

The J6 2nd anniversary in DC.

The murder of tort-and the resulting fire and fury of the Cop City campaignwhich continued all year but most intensely with the March 5 raid by forest defenderson the Cop City staging area and its complete destruction by fire.

Police and prosecutors acting like Nazi Gestapo (all year)

All out attempts by DeSantis to wipe out or drive away FL’s LGBTQ community backfire,he ends the year all but out of contention for the White House.

*A very nasty 2023 session in Tallahasse-including warrants for protest after the fact

*Very, very tense Pride festivals as the DeSantis drag ban posed a menace before being tossed in Federal court days before St Petersburg FL’s major Pride event

Protests in FL around July 1 as some of DeSantis’s fascistic new laws went into effect.A ferocious drag defense in Lakeland against Christian nationalists, one of many in the US

Oct 7: The Gaza war breaks out and Israel responds with all-out bombardment and overt genocide. Most of the rest of the year focussed on resisting “Genocide Joe” Biden’s support with armsof genocide in Gaza, with notable exceptions including:

The Nov 13 protests taking the offensive against Cop City and the fires the following night

Climate Defiance breaking up and closing down an awards ceremony featuring the CEO of Exxon-Mobil

Both “ThingsTaking” and Christmas events were the focus of pro-Palestine protests. Shopping wasdirectly targetted with many protests striking shopping areas and the “While you’re shopping,bombs are dropping” chant some remember from GW Bush’s Iraq War

One of the year’s late events was the Dec 11 blockade of the Kennedy Street Bridge in Tampa, FLon a nationwide day of action for Gaza. Bridges and highways have been subject to blockadethroughout the country.

Getting the vehicles that defended that protest out was difficult, and cops picked off several forticketing and threats on the way out. This was but a taste of the menacing police, university,employer, and related efforts to forciby shut up anyone who dares to speak out against the genocidein Gaza.

As the year closed the shadows of 2016 and 2020 loomed. DeSantis is no longer a contender but withGenocide Joe having all but thrown away his chance of a second term, it appears we are going to haveto fight Trump again, this time with him speaking openly of dictatorship and learning from last timearound.

Yet hope rises: On Dec 20 the Colorado Supreme Court tossed Trump off the ballot in that state on14th Amendment/insurrection grounds. In addition, the recent threats and police harassment havecompletely failed to silence the Palestine protests.

Be ready for a very rough ride in 2024-see you in the streets!