Several dozen pro-Palestine protesters on Tuesday afternoon marched in the rain through downtown Richmond, blocking traffic as they made their way down Ninth Street to the Virginia State Capitol building.
A Virginia Capitol Police officer told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the western grounds of the Capitol were shut down as protesters staged a demonstration on the sidewalk along West Broad Street. At least two dozen officers formed a line between the group and the building.
The protesters condemned the officers for barring their access to the public grounds around the Capitol.
“We’re (exercising) our right to protest,” said Sereen Haddad, a pro-Palestine organizer. “Not only are we being blocked off, we’re getting a (police) line for peacefully protesting.”
“I want you ... to remember that when the U.S. tries to tell you that you have free speech,” Haddad added.
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Haddad also demanded that prosecutors drop charges against protesters arrested in recent clashed with police.
Tuesday’s event was part of a broader week of action for Gaza, according to organizers. This week marks both Israel’s independence day as well as the anniversary of Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948 were displaced as British forces withdrew from the region and the modern state of Israel was founded.
The observation of both events comes as cease-fire negotiations have stalled and Israeli forces prepare for a full-scale ground invasion of the Gazan city of Rafah.
“We’re not going to stop until we get what we deserve, which is peace and justice for Palestinians,” Haddad said. “Never again means never again.”