Protesters Hang Giant Palestinian Flag at White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Venue

The Washington Hilton hotel hosted a long list of VIP guests, journalists, and celebrities, including Chris Pine and Molly Ringwald. More than 100 protesters gathered outside, chanting slogans and confronting attendees. They shouted “Genocide Joe” and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

Some protesters unfurled a large Palestinian flag from a hotel window, while others held placards and shouted from bullhorns on the road below. Palestinian journalists issued an open letter urging American colleagues to boycott the dinner, asking them to speak truth to power and uphold journalistic integrity. According to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, at least 97 journalists, including 92 Palestinians, have been killed since the war began, with 16 others wounded.

Code Pink, part of an anti-war coalition, declared its intention to “shut down” the dinner to protest the Biden administration’s alleged complicity in the targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli military. The protest was announced as non-violent, but no specific details were provided. Law enforcement authorities stated their preparedness to facilitate safe and peaceful demonstrations while ensuring the event’s accessibility for guests.

Comedian Jost, from NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” sat next to President Biden at the dinner, with actress Scarlett Johansson also in attendance. The 81-year-old Biden was scheduled to follow Jost’s roast with his own speech, likely including self-mockery, ribbing of the press, and jabs at his presumptive opponent in the upcoming election, Donald Trump. The annual dinner, organized since 1920 by the White House Correspondents’ Association, honors top reporters and awards journalism scholarships.

Last year’s event saw 2,600 attendees.