WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A Pro-Palestine demonstration near Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Virginia home is getting attention from commuters.
The tent city was set up on Friday along Chainbridge Road near the Arlington and Fairfax County border.
"Eight out of ten people are very positive. You get a couple of middle fingers. You know, it's a free country," demonstrator Fatimeh Asi told WUSA9.
Organizers say initially the protest started as a weekend demonstration with the support of neighbors, but they have continued their presence near Blinken's Arlington County home to mount political pressure.
"The message first and foremost is a ceasefire," Pro-Palestine supporter Samar Langhorne said.
Arlington County Police have set up signs advising drivers to slow down and avoid blowing their horns as they drive through the narrow road lined with homes. Police say officers are conducting periodic patrols to ensure public safety in the area.
Demonstrators say that signs have not muzzled their message, and the honking in support they receive from drivers.
"We are still trying to be law-abiding citizens, but yet using whatever means of pressure to our capacity to push our decision-makers in this country to be on the side of humanity," Asi added.
Israel maintains its stance that it is defending itself in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks where 12,000 people were killed and 240 people were taken hostage.
Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 26,900 Palestinians according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
"As long as there is Palestinians being killed no one should be comfortable. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is sitting in his home, comfortable, warm, with his children, safe at the same time, people in Gaza are being killed," Langhorne said outisde Blinken's residence.
On Wednesday Blinken met with the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag at the State Department to discuss the mandate preferred by the United Nations Council to help maximize the monetary assistance that is getting to the people in need in Gaza and also to think of the longer term reconstruction of Gaza.
Protesters like Asi say his efforts are not enough. "It is within the U.S.'s hands today, tomorrow, every day to stop this genocide from happening," she said.
On Thursday, Feb 1. at 11 a.m. protesters will hold a larger protest. Organizers have yet to provide an end date for their demonstration.
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