Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters rally in L.A. ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary

Hundreds of demonstrators held a pro-Palestinian rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, chanting “Free Palestine” and “Long live the intifada” as they protested Israel’s war in Gaza and Lebanon while marching from Pershing Square to City Hall.

The largely peaceful demonstration came two days before the anniversary of Oct. 7, when Hamas militants in Gaza attacked Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.

Across Los Angeles, the anniversary will be marked by commemorations for the victims, candle-lighting ceremonies, demonstrations and counter-demonstrations.

Over the last year, Israeli military operations in Gaza — and more recently, against the Hamas-allied militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon — have been the focus of protests. More than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died in Israeli retaliatory attacks, with more than half being women and children, according to the Gazan Health Ministry.

There appeared to be as many as a thousand people at the demonstration Saturday, though police did not give a crowd estimate. The scene was filled with Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Speakers called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon.

World & Nation

Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian rallies in Europe amid high alert as Oct. 7 anniversary nears

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets in London, Rome, Paris and other European cities to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Oct. 5, 2024

At City Hall, a protest leader led the crowd in a chant of “There is only one solution, intifada revolution!” Banners read “End the Siege of Gaza” and “Hands Off Yemen.”

Police were not a conspicuous presence at the rally, nor was the presence of counterprotesters. Los Angeles police said there was one arrest: Alex Guillen, 26, was detained in connection with multiple acts of vandalism during the march, officials said Sunday.

An L.A. resident, Guillen was observed spray-painting “Free Palestine!” on the LAPD headquarters building downtown, and he was seen also seen committing other acts of vandalism, police said. At the time of his apprehension, he was in possession of two black spray-paint canisters, police said.

A demonstrator holds a headless doll at the rally.

(Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

Large pro-Palestinian crowds gathered around the world Saturday, with protests involving thousands in European cities. Protests became violent in Rome, and police responded with tear gas and water cannons.

In a joint public service announcement, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned that the Oct. 7 anniversary “may be a motivating factor for violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators to engage in violence or threaten public safety.”

Times staff writer Daniel Miller contributed to this report.