Hundreds march for Palestine at Harris-Trump debate — Fight Back! News

Philadelphia, PA – On the evening of September 10, the Philadelphia Palestine Coalition led a march of 750 community members and activists through the streets of downtown to protest outside the National Constitution Center, site of the first debate between Harris and Trump.

United in their anger at the two candidates, the protesters marched for over three hours through 18 city blocks to make their message clear: When it comes to the genocide in the Gaza Strip, Democrats and Republicans agree.

In light of digital campaign ads along Market Street, people chanted “Biden, Harris, Trump and Bibi – you are not welcome in our city!” and “From Philly to Palestine – occupation is a crime!” to effectively drown out the antagonism of the Zionist counter-protesters from the Trump and Harris camps.

Nina Macapinlac, a member of BAYAN USA, spoke on behalf of the Philadelphia Alliance Against Imperialism and denounced both political parties as pro-imperialist, pointing to their unity not only in their promise of unconditional aid to Israel, but also on issues of immigration and political repression.

Macapinlac stated: “Let's not forget that Biden and Harris continued Trump's immigration policies and built the wall. Let's not forget that Trump and the Biden-Harris administration both criminalized people who fight for a better world, especially the left. Look at all the 'cop cities' being built in this country! That's why we have no illusions about whether to vote for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump – we reject both!”

Macapinlac told the crowd: “We recognize even here on the ground that our struggles are connected from Philadelphia to Palestine, to the Philippines, to Korea, to Puerto Rico, to Haiti and everywhere else. They are connected because we have a common enemy in US imperialism, and the top representatives of US imperialism” – and he now gestured towards the debate – “are sitting right here in the street!”

After police barricades gave way to the strength of the march, protesters reached an intersection a block from the venue, where chants continued. Flanked on all sides by a growing presence of Philadelphia police officers, organizers eventually made the decision to disperse after successfully marching within sight and hearing of the debate.

The march was organized by the Philadelphia Palestine Coalition and included speakers and contingents from Temple Students for Justice in Palestine, Philly Democratic Socialists of America, and the Philadelphia Alliance Against Imperialism, a coalition of anti-imperialist organizations including Anakbayan Philly, Korea Peace Now, Workers World Party, Black Alliance for Peace, Freedom Road Socialist Organization-Philadelphia, and others.

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