Draft:Protests against the Israel-Hamas conflict in the United States

In the immediate aftermath of Hamas' military invasion of Israel on October 7th, and the ensuing military counter-offensive by the Israelis, code-named 'Iron Sword', hundreds of demonstrations, fueled by sentiments of solidarity with Israel and outrage against Israel, erupted across the United States on college campuses, in major cities, and at embassies and consulates of Israel. Demonstrations were planned in the immediate aftermath of the United States' unequivocal declaration to provide unwavering support to Israel's retaliation against Hamas' aggression, underscoring the deep-seated support within the American populace for Israel. The protests have taken place regularly since October 7 in major US cities, such as New York, Chicago and Washington DC, cities with large Palestinian and Arab diasporas. These cities have large Palestinian and Arab immigrant populations, and the protests see large participation from these minority groups.

New York
Since October 7th, there have been large pro-Palestinian protests in New York City nearly every day, with roads and official municipal buildings being closed. Protestors stomped on Israeli flags and demanded a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Protestors also crossed Brooklyn Bridge and organized sit-ins at the Grand Central Station and in Manhattan's Financial District, Times Square, and smaller demonstrations in Arab neighborhoods in Queens. Thousands attended the protests, which are still ongoing and are being broadcasted by users on social media, giving the protests further attention. Demonstrators also plan to protest at the New York City marathon. Tension has been rising at colleges across New York such as Cornell University and Columbia University have drawn ire from school board members and drew national attention after the Canary Project began documenting college students that supported Palestine and driving trucks around Ithaca with the names and faces of pro-Palestine students. Cornell University cancelled classes due to 'extraordinary stress' and a student making anti-Semitic threats to other Jewish peers.

New Jersey
Large rallies have also been taking place in New Jersey in cities like Paterson, Newark and Elizabeth, which have large Arab-American populations. Paterson's Main Street is known as "Palestine Way" to locals and has many Palestinian businesses, residents and mosques. Thousands have attended these protests, and protests have taken place at Princeton University in Princeton, where a staff member was arrested for assaulting a protestor. Smaller protests have taken place in Jersey City as well.

In Lakewood Township, home to nearly 100,000 Jews, there was several large protests with thousands of attendees. In Livingston, a 'Unite for Israel' march was held where a large crowd of nearly 3,000 blocked the streets of the city.

Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, students at Harvard University held several demonstrations with hundreds of attendees. Students also issued a pro-Palestine letter which was perceived as anti-Semitic. Other pro-Israel demonstrations were held at the campus as well. In Boston, pro-Palestine activists claimed to have shut down Elbit Systems, which has a US headquarters in Boston. It is the largest supplier of arms to Israel and has received funding from Congress. Palestine Action US, the organization that held the demonstration, claimed that 9 arrests were made.

Pennsylvania
Pro-Palestinian rallies took place at City Hall, and in the University District of Philadelphia, where healthcare workers gathered to support Palestine. Other large pro-Israel marches took place in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Washington, DC
Tens of thousands of pro-ceasefire protestors supporting both Palestine and Israel took to the streets on October 18th. The protestors entered the Capitol and several notable congresswomen came out in support and against the protest. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called the protest "an insurrection," and comparing it to the January 6th riots at the US Capitol. Another large demonstration took place on November 4th, with several news sources putting the attendance from 40,000 to nearly 100,000. Protestors blocked the streets leading up to the White House and could 'be seen for miles.' The march began at Freedom Plaza, and moved to the UN headquarters, where the crowd size swelled from 1,000 to nearly 3,000. The crowd soon began a loop around the US Capitol and the White House. At the White House, protestors chanted "Blinken, Blinken, you can't hide - we charge you with genocide," referring to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's commitment to Israel's "defense of national soil."

Los Angeles protests
Hundreds of protestors marched in front of the Israeli Consulate in West Los Angeles, to condemn the retaliation of Israel against the Gaza Strip. The protestors waved Palestinian flags and chanted 'Cease-fire now!' and began moving eastwards under the 405 Freeway and towards the Federal Building in Westwood, California. Protestors were largely peaceful and made way for cars to move through, but slowly began closing the boulevard. Many drivers showed their support by waving their own flags or whistling.

San Francisco protests
In San Francisco, nearly 12,000 people through the streets of San Francisco. The protest began at San Francisco's famous Market Street, and was organized by several large Palestinian outlets and advocacy groups. The protestors chanted in support of Palestine, shouting 'Gaza will be liberated' and waving Palestinian flags. They also called for a ceasefire. A counterprotestor holding an Israeli flag was spotted but was quickly escorted away by San Francisco police.