Protesters tell US' Austin: Rise and shine, no sleep during genocide!

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Dec 2023 22:53
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Protesters also demonstrated in front of Jake Sullivan's house.

Protesters are gathered in front of the home of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Twitter, @PeoplesForumNYC)

Demonstrators from the Shut It Down for Palestine movement, which advocates for Palestine, gathered on Monday outside the residence of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Virginia.

The protest drew dozens of supporters, including participants from various activist movements such as the anti-war ANSWER coalition, The People's Forum, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

They called for an end to Washington's complicity in the Gaza genocide.

"Activists woke up war criminal Lloyd Austin, a key participant in the genocide in Gaza. No Xmas during genocide! End all US aid to Israel! Ceasefire now!!" the Party for Socialism and Liberation wrote on social media.

NOW: Pro-Palestine activists gather in front of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s house to declare: “No Christmas as usual during a genocide! Ceasefire NOW!” pic.twitter.com/j3EVtDVdpT
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) December 25, 2023

“Globalize the intifada!”
“Shut it down!”

Palestine supporters are currently gathered near the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree for a protest. pic.twitter.com/1VcjWTHcsF
— LUKE2FREEDOM (@L2FTV) December 25, 2023

Activists from The People's Forum reportedly chanted "Austin, Austin, Rise and Shine, No Sleep During Genocide!" during the demonstration.

They displayed banners with messages such as "Stop the Genocide," "End All US Aid to Israel," "Free Palestine," and "Drop the Defense."

The last slogan references a bill aimed at providing Israel with substantial funding, which activists argue fuels the Israeli "war machine" and supports its "apartheid regime."

On Monday, yet another Shut It Down for Palestine demonstration took place outside the Washington, DC residence of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

The protest was organized by ANSWER, citing Sullivan's involvement in "war threats against Yemen and arming the Israeli war machine to the teeth."

New York shut it down for Palestine 🇵🇸pic.twitter.com/Tticq6BIzY
— Naba (@NabaZehraa) December 25, 2023

The upcoming day of action is scheduled for December 31, and ANSWER has called on protesters to mobilize on New Year's Eve.

The purpose is to demand a ceasefire and an end to the occupation of Palestinian lands.

The plan involves escalating pressure on the US government through various forms of protest, including marches, walk-outs, sit-ins, and other demonstrations.