Pro-Palestine protests reach southernmost continent, Antarctica
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Pro-Palestine protests have swept across the continents in response to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
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Students stand at McMurdo Station in Antarctica protesting the Israeli genocide in Gaza. (X photo, @saaaauuull)
Pro-Palestine demonstrations have now reached Antarctica, Newsweek reported.
User @saaaauuull posted a thread on how pro-Palestine rallies have spread to dozens of different states in the United States and continents across the world. "Student Gaza solidarity protests/encampments appear to have reached ALL continents but Antarctica," according to the article.
X user Shane Loeffler replied to the post by writing, "Antarctica is showing up too" and uploaded a photo of pro-Palestine demonstrators on the continent.
The snapshot shows numerous individuals at the McMurdo Station research station on Ross Island's southern point. One individual is seen clutching a Palestinian flag, while others held posters that read: "Fund science not genocide," "ceasefire", and "Antarctic workers for Gaza."
The photo was uploaded by numerous other social media accounts this week, and Loeffler informed Newsweek about the initial post, which included the photo on Instagram with the message, "Antarctic workers for the people of Gaza."
Antarctica is showing up too pic.twitter.com/uNXN7AoG1b
— Shane Loeffler (@shane98c) April 30, 2024
The post's caption said: "We live in a world that consistently values capital over human life. We are indoctrinated into a world of fear, it takes a brave heart and critical mind to speak up for justice. I commend all of the workers of McMurdo who risk the privilege of their roles to demonstrate solidarity."
A spokeswoman for the US National Science Foundation, which maintains the McMurdo Station, told Newsweek that "the views expressed in the posting only reflect the views of those individuals involved, and not necessarily the views of the NSF or the United States."
Pro-Palestine protests have swept across the continents in response to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, following unrest on US campuses where hundreds have been violently arrested in a police crackdown.
College Democrats back protests, criticize Biden’s 'Israel' policy
Last week, in an attempt to shut down protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on X denouncing the current protests in the United States, accusing them of antisemitism and comparing them to what happened in German universities in the 1930s.
"No, Mr Netanyahu. It is not antisemitic or pro-Ha-ma-s to point out that in a little over six months, your extremist government has killed 34,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 77,000."#US Senator Bernie Sanders released a statement on Thursday, addressing Israeli Prime… pic.twitter.com/T5vUgDUIVF
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 27, 2024
Additionally, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates informed reporters last week that the Biden administration was "of course, aware of the protests." He stated, "We know that this is a painful moment for many communities. We respect that, and we support every American's right to peacefully protest; that's something that we have been consistent about."
College Democrats of America, the Democratic Party's student group, backed pro-Palestine college rallies that have been sweeping the nation on Tuesday and urged President Joe Biden to support a lasting ceasefire in the war on Gaza, which has killed a staggering 34,535 martyrs and injured 77,704.
The organization in a statement praised protesters on campuses for having "the moral clarity to see this war for what it is; destructive, genocidal, and unjust" and criticized the response from college officials, including the suspension and detention of students, as well as the smearing of protesters by MAGA Republicans and other lawmakers.
“We find all calls for violence, such as those against Jewish and Muslim students, wrong; those spreading hate have no place in the movement for peace."
