Gaza ceasefire demonstration blocks Washington train station

'Shut it Down for Palestine' was the latest large-scale demonstration in Washington, DC demanding a ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza.

On Friday, more than a thousand demonstrators gathered at Union Station, the capital's main train station, shutting it down at rush hour at the end of the work week, with police responding by blocking the entire main entrance.

In front of the barricaded train station, demonstrators held signs reading: Genocide Joe, Ceasefire Now, Free Gaza, and End US Aid to Israel. Jewish allies held signs reading: Now in Our Name. Deaf demonstrators used sign language to participate in chants. Organisers led chants in both English and Arabic.

The demonstration took place as Israel's war in Gaza is set to enter its seventh week, with more than 11,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes. 

Following Hamas's 7 October surprise attack which left around 1,200 Israelis dead, according to Tel Aviv, Israel has responded with relentless bombing and a stifling blockade on Gaza.

Rights groups and activists have raised concerns over mass starvation and dehydration in the crowded enclave.

Ramsey Garbi, whose family is Palestinian and whose grandmother was part of the 1948 Nakba, told The New Arab, "I'm here to show solidarity with Palestinians and call for a ceasefire."

"It looks like more and more people are coming out and showing solidarity with Palestinians," he said. "I think the truth is coming out more and more, and people are seeing Israel for what it really is, which is an apartheid state. And I believe there should be a ceasefire. The global community agrees there should be a ceasefire." 

Haaroon Rahimi, originally from Afghanistan, who came from Virginia for the demonstration, told TNA: "I came to support Palestine and peace for everybody. I want to show support to everyone who's struggling and oppressed."

The gathering drew media film crews from different countries, speaking multiple languages. Some demonstrators voiced their disappointment to the media crews for what they saw as coverage unfairly portraying them as Hamas supporters, saying they have only been demonstrating for Palestinian civilians. 

Friday's demonstration is one of many that have been taking place across the US and the world calling for a ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza, with the goal of influencing politicians to put pressure on Israel to end its bombing and blockade. 

So far, at least 25 House members have called for a ceasefire, with Jamie Raskin of Maryland issuing a statement on his position Friday.