Protesters display large Palestinian flag at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
During the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, anti-Israel protesters created a tumultuous scene, unfurling a large Palestinian flag at the host hotel. The atmosphere was notably charged, with shouts directed at attendees. Journalists reported a significant shift from the usual event setting. President Biden altered his motorcade route to potentially avoid the protests, showcasing a marked departure from past gatherings.
Anti-Israel protesters swarmed the streets surrounding Saturday evening’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, shouting at attendees and draping a massive Palestinian flag from one of the windows of the host hotel.
Associated Press reporter Farnoush Amiri commented on the crowds waiting outside the venue, saying that the scene before her was very different than it had been in years past.
“This is my third year covering the WHCD as the designated AP reporter for the WH pool and I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said of the gathered protesters. “President Biden’s motorcade will likely drive by these crowds shortly.”
This is my third year covering the WHCD as the designated AP reporter for the WH pool and I’ve never seen anything like this. President Biden’s motorcade will likely drive by these crowds shortly. https://t.co/ZnJjhCrmly
— Farnoush Amiri (@FarnoushAmiri) April 27, 2024
Amiri also noted that President Joe Biden’s motorcade took a different route to the event than it had in years past — and her assumption was that they were attempting to avoid the protests as much as possible.
In President Biden’s motorcade, which took a different route to the dinner than previous years, likely to avoid protesters. But some still were able to get through on the side streets. pic.twitter.com/3SmhH1YCFh
— Farnoush Amiri (@FarnoushAmiri) April 27, 2024
Protesters carried signs referencing journalists who have reportedly been killed in Gaza.
Scenes from outside the #WHCD where protesters are supporting a boycott called for by the colleagues of journalists killed in Gaza pic.twitter.com/J3kJZUYU3g
— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) April 27, 2024
Protesters attempted to surround attendees — among them Caitlyn Jenner — and confront them as they arrived, calling on journalists to boycott the event.
The protesters claimed they were there “to protest media complicity in genocide,” complaining that Palestinian journalists were being killed “with full U.S. backing” for reporting on the situation in Gaza.
Caitlyn Jenner confronted by protestors at White House Correspondents Dinner.
They’re here “to protest media complicity in genocide” & uplift calls from Palestinian journalists to boycott the event “as they are being targeted & killed for doing their jobs, with full US backing.” pic.twitter.com/OG7QLhl8zM
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) April 27, 2024
“The pro-Hamas crowd has arrived outside the White House Correspondent’s Dinner and is VERY upset about me filming them,” Katie Pavlich posted.
The pro-Hamas crowd has arrived outside the White House Correspondent’s Dinner and is VERY upset about me filming them pic.twitter.com/xEg3a8EPDR
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) April 27, 2024
The Palestinian flag, according to witnesses, was draped from a window of the Washington Hilton just before President Joe Biden was expected to arrive at the venue.
Demonstrators draped a massive Palestinian flag from the Washington Hilton just moments before POTUS is due for #WHCD pic.twitter.com/lbEnXlugcy
— Sean Langille (@SeanLangille) April 27, 2024
WUSA9 reporter Alexis Wainwright shared several videos of the protest, confirming that those present were calling for a boycott of the dinner.
Protests still happening right now outside of the White House Correspondents dinner at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Ave NW.
They are calling for a boycott of this dinner. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/M7VfYCiloo
— Alexis Wainwright (@AWainwrightTV) April 28, 2024
She also reported that at least one protester had been escorted away by police, prompting other protesters to yell at officers to let the person go.
Now other protesters have come over to call for police to let the person who’s been taken into custody go. pic.twitter.com/3oTHOSUu1K
— Alexis Wainwright (@AWainwrightTV) April 28, 2024
Ousted MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan publicly stated that despite attending the WHCD in the past, he would join with the anti-Israel protesters and sit this one out.
I have attended the White House Correspondents Dinner for the past two years. I decided not to attend today’s dinner (which, to be clear, is hosted by DC journalists not the White House) in solidarity with under-fire Palestinian journalists in Gaza who have called for a boycott. https://t.co/HZ6v1m9RTq
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) April 27, 2024
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