Thousands of peaceful demonstrators marched in Washington on Saturday, protesting Israel’s ground and aerial offensives that have killed over 1,650 Palestinians, mostly civilians, in Gaza.

The protest, one of many pro-Gaza demonstrations held over the weekend in major US cities, began at the White House, included activists of all races, ages, religions, and ethnic groups; many waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free, free Palestine, killing children is a crime.”

The rally was organized by the Answer Coalition, a self-described anti-war and anti-racism group that supports Palestine. One demonstrator said the group sent out invitations to attend the rally via Facebook.

Tharin, who traveled overnight from Charlotte, North Carolina, holding a sign that read, “I Have a Dream that Gaza Will Be Free,” said he was attending the rally because “this is an asymmetrical war, and I can’t see that people can observe this and not be angry.”

His colleague Linda, also from North Carolina, added: “I’m here to raise my voice for Gazans who have no voice. People think this is a war, it’s not. It’s a massacre, it’s ethnic cleansing, it’s genocide.”

Members of many Jewish groups also joined the demonstration. Jillian, who traveled overnight from New York, said: “I’m a Jew and it would be morally indefensible not to be here. My tax dollars are being used to kill people. I have a responsibility to be here.” She voiced frustration over media coverage over Gaza. “The news media is giving us Israel’s talking points, which makes it impossible to talk to people about this tragedy.”

Tom, from New York City, said he had traveled here because he “identifies with the struggle of the Palestinian people because it’s my struggle, too. It’s all our struggle. If not, who are we?”

Many protesters expressed exasperation over what they view is unconditional US support for Israel’s government; several carried cardboard boxes decorated as coffins. “Small coffins, for children,” explained one protester.

Deborah, from Maryland, brought her entire family. “I cry every day when I hear about the Palestinian children killed in Gaza. I’m Jewish and my son just returned from a Taglit-Birthright trip, (which brings young Jews from around the world for a free 10-day trip to Israel), he told me: ‘How can I be spiritual when I hear them bombing Gaza?’”

Other protesters said their faith had brought them there. Caya, from Maryland, said: “My parents taught me to be respectful and mindful of other peoples’ faith. We are all part of the same God. We must be accepting of each other. I’ve seen signs that read: ‘Warsaw (ghettos) had tunnels, too!’”

Although police were present, the protest was orderly. “There are 10,000-15,000 protesters here, but they’re peaceful; they’re no problem, which is why we’re not in riot gear,” said one police officer.

Rabbi Dovid Feldman, spokesman for Jews United Against Zionism, traveled from New York City with several dozen other rabbis. “We are outraged that this killing in happening in our name. We have a Holocaust survivor who came with us. We are children of the Holocaust. We are deeply pained when we see the suffering being done to the Palestinian people.