Thousands of protesters took over the streets of Austin, Texas on Sunday, with some setting off smoke bombs as they expressed support for Palestine and demanded an Israeli ceasefire in the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The shocking scene included protesters on horseback waving the Palestinian flag, many covered in a keffiyeh, a checkered black and white scarf.
The Austin American-Statesman describes those roaming the streets as expressing “palpable anger” over Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attacks last month that left over 1,400 people dead, including women and children.
Video posted to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, shows the chaotic scene.
The Statesman published images of multiple protesters setting off smoke bombs in the Texas state capital.
RELATED: Democrat Cory Booker Gets Drowned Out By Pro-Palestine Hecklers
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Take Over Streets Of Texas Capital
The newspaper notes that protesters were demanding a cease-fire in the Middle East and accusing Israel of “genocide” while suggesting Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden were “complicit” in those actions.
Estimates suggest the crowd of protesters measured at over 10,000.
Hamas supporters take over the streets of the State Capital of Texas. pic.twitter.com/Ow0P6QpSMi
— @amuse (@amuse) November 12, 2023
Critics on social media openly wondered who funded such a well-organized pro-Palestinian protest.
The Texas Tribune reports the protest “was organized by a coalition of pro-Palestine groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.”
Aerial views of the demonstration show the remarkable scale of the event.
The World Health Organization (WHO) claims more than 10,000 Gazans have been killed by Israeli strikes since the start of the war. A vast majority of these lives would have been saved if not for the Hamas terror attacks that instigated the conflict.
Pro-Palestinian Protests In New York City Too
The Austin American-Statesman also points out that protesters were chanting: “From Palestine to Mexico, the walls have got to go.”
In a 2018 social media post, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) was controversially photographed smiling with pro-Palestine activists while holding up a sign with that very same message.
Excited to be here at Netroots Nation talking with progressives like Sen. Cory Booker about our shared commitment to freedom, justice, and equality for all people. #NN18 pic.twitter.com/ljswLmv32w
— USCPR #DefendMasaferYatta (@USCPR_) August 3, 2018
Booker was forced to take refuge in a bomb shelter before being flown out of Israel when Hamas attacked countless innocents during last month’s attack.
Israeli supporters have suggested any cease-fire would benefit Hamas, an Islamist militant movement governing the Gaza Strip as one of the Palestinian territories’ two major political parties.
Pro-Palestinian protests have cropped up across the country.
Officials in New York City have become increasingly concerned with the hostility and the number of rallies in the city as the war in the Middle East rages on.
Late last week, Grand Central Station was shut down as violent protesters tried kicking in doors, resulting in broken glass.
Pro-Palestinian activists are having a “mostly peaceful protest” outside of Grand Central Station in NY
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 11, 2023
Protesters were also seen tearing down American flags at a protest in Manhattan on the eve of Veteran’s Day.
The night before Veterans Day, a Palestine protester tears down American and UN flags at a protest in Manhattan. The person is cheered on by the mob, who also rioted that night by attacking the Grand Central Station and NYPD. pic.twitter.com/14zO7c7WKG
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) November 12, 2023
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