Cops block pro-Palestinian demonstrators marching toward U.S. Embassy

Police officers blocked approximately 500 activist marchers from reaching the United States Embassy in Manila on Wednesday morning, forcing demonstrators to hold a peaceful rally along a nearby city thoroughfare.

The protest march, organized by activist umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle, and the Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association, assembled around 10:25 a.m. along T.M. Kalaw Avenue.

Rally leaders, including former Representative Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño and Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association lead convenor Jerome Adonis, said the demonstration was organized to coincide with the anniversary of the 7 October Al-Aqsa Flood attack and form part of an international day of action calling for an end to military siege and economic sanctions.

Riot police from the Manila Police District formed a defensive blockade before the marchers reached Roxas Boulevard, preventing the crowd from proceeding directly to the embassy gates.

Demonstrators then conducted a temporary street program in front of the police line, holding placards and chanting slogans opposing foreign military presence, American foreign policy, and Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Speakers called for an immediate end to hostiities, the withdrawal of US troops from the region, and the rejection of foreign defense pacts.