On Tuesday evening, a group of anti-Trump and pro-Hamas protesters gathered outside the White House, where a woman wearing a Hamas bandana was seen hoisting a Hamas flag. The demonstration, organized by the Palestine Youth Movement with support from the D.C. chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, drew attention as participants voiced support for radical causes, including chants of “Long live the Intifada” and prayers conducted on mats rolled out in front of the iconic building.
Independent journalist Laura Loomer confronted the woman with the Hamas flag during the Tuesday rally, asking why she chose to display it. The woman reportedly responded, “Why not fly a Hamas flag?” The exchange occurred amid a broader scene of escalating tension, as protesters grew agitated by the presence of Loomer and contributor Charles Downs. Some demonstrators told the pair that “Zionists” were not welcome at their event, despite its location in a public space widely regarded as a bastion of free speech in the United States.
The Palestine Youth Movement, identified on event flyers as a key organizer, operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the WESPAC Foundation, according to NGO Monitor. This arrangement allows the group to receive tax-deductible donations in the U.S. without disclosing donor details. IRS Form 990 filings reveal that WESPAC received a $50,000 grant from Morgan Stanley Global Impact in 2021, alongside additional grants from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in 2021 and 2022.
The protests continued into Wednesday night, with footage capturing ralliers chanting, “Yemen, Yemen, make us proud! Turn another ship around,” in apparent endorsement of radical Islamic piracy. Demonstrators also waved “F-Trump” flags while one protester read a letter from Mahmoud Khalil, currently held in ICE detention. Tensions flared further when attendees reacted angrily to Loomer Unleashed filming the event, using a blowhorn to disrupt the recording. The situation escalated when a protester directed a megaphone at Charles Downs’ ear, blasting sound in an apparent attempt to intimidate.
Wednesday’s demonstration, also organized by the D.C. chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, aligns with the group’s history of provocative activism. A 2020 Denver Post article reported that members of the organization faced arrests during the BLM and Antifa riots, with leaders charged in connection to protests over Elijah McClain’s death. The charges ranged from inciting a riot to stealing counter protesters’ signs.
The events of Tuesday and Wednesday outside the White House signal a potential shift in the anti-Trump movement, raising concerns about the direction of leftist activism as it intersects with radical ideologies
