What to know about Oct. 7 rallies and vigils in D.C.
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A Capitol Hill candlelight vigil against the Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 15, 2023. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Protests, vigils and other events are happening around D.C. as the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel and start of the devastating Israel-Hamas war approaches.
The big picture: Tens of thousands of people have rallied in the city over the past year, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas and an end to the escalating conflict.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's D.C. visit in July and Congressional address sparked thousands to protest and resulted in nearly two dozen arrests.
- Nationwide campus protests calling for a ceasefire and for the U.S. to divest from Israel have centered in D.C. at George Washington University, where students from multiple colleges and universities set up an encampment last spring. It drew the ire of House GOP leaders who criticized the campus and D.C. police for allowing it to continue. Several students were suspended.
The latest: Pro-Palestinian protests have continued at GWU this fall semester. Meanwhile, universities in Virginia rolled out new policies on where and how students can protest to ensure campus safety and protect students' rights.
- At the University of Maryland this week, a federal judge cleared the way for an Oct. 7 interfaith vigil, organized by a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, after the university moved to block it.
Between the lines: While many are eager to make their voices heard, much of corporate America is staying silent on the Oct. 7 anniversary as the conflict in the Middle East becomes more complex.
- Ditto for many educational institutions nationwide, from UVA to Penn, which have embraced "neutrality" ahead of the Oct. 7 anniversary.
What's next: Events this weekend and beyond.
- Pro-Palestinian rally at the White House (Oct. 5), as part of an international day of action with the Palestinian Youth Movement and several DMV coalitions.
- Remembering October 7th Standing with Israel (Oct. 7). A rally and vigil on the Washington Monument Grounds organized by Christian organization Philos Project, with an NPS permit for around 1,500 people.
- Memorial for Israeli and Palestinian Life (Oct. 7) at Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park organized by Jewish pro-peace group IfNotNow. The rally is permitted for around 1,000 people.
- An Evening of Remembrance, Resilience and Hope (Oct. 7) at The Anthem organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (free required registration closes Sunday).
- Maryland Hillel (Oct. 7) commemorates the one-year anniversary in College Park.