Pro-Palestinian activists plan to rally at Market Square on Sunday before walking to press U.S. Sen. Mark Warner to end American weapons shipments to Israel.
The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 4 p.m., according to organizers. After a short walk from the meeting point to the final location, participants will remain stationary, organizers said.
Jewish Voice for Peace-DC Metro and Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights are organizing the event, which they describe as a “family-friendly and artful demonstration” that will include some Jewish ritual elements. The groups say Jews and non-Jews alike are invited to participate.
Organizers are asking those who wish to participate to RSVP online so they can send updates and day-of communications.
In promotional materials, organizers criticized Warner’s voting record, saying he “recently claimed he opposes the blockade and forced starvation of Gaza” but “continues to vote for the unhindered transfer of U.S. weapons to Israel.”
Organizers are demanding Warner “act immediately to stop U.S. weapons shipments to Israel and oppose the genocidal blockade starving Palestinians in Gaza,” according to a registration form posted online.
“There are no two sides to genocide,” organizers wrote. “History will remember where every member of Congress stood.”
The groups said programming details, including speakers, will be announced closer to the event.
Jewish Voice for Peace is an advocacy organization that opposes Israeli policies toward Palestinians. Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights describes itself as a coalition of Alexandrians standing up for the rights and dignity of Palestinians.
Warner, Virginia’s senior senator who has represented the commonwealth since 2009, serves as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He has voted in favor of U.S. military aid packages to Israel.
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