Annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner
The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner took place in Washington, D.C. amidst protests and boycott calls related to the conflict in Gaza. The event, traditionally attended by a long list of VIP guests, saw journalists and celebrities like Chris Pine and Molly Ringwald arriving in black-tie attire.
Protests and Demonstrations
Outside the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was held, over 100 protesters gathered, chanting slogans and confronting attendees. Among the chants heard were “shame on you” as the protesters expressed their discontent.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators made their voices heard as they confronted guests arriving at the event, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding US support for the Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
At one point, protesters unfurled a large Palestinian flag from a window on the hotel’s top floor, while others held placards and shouted slogans from the street below.
Calls for Boycott
More than two dozen Palestinian journalists issued an open letter urging American colleagues to boycott the dinner. The letter emphasized the importance of speaking truth to power and upholding journalistic integrity in the face of ongoing challenges in Gaza.
Code Pink Protest
The group Code Pink, as part of an anti-war coalition, expressed its intention to protest the Biden administration’s role in the targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli military. While the protest was described as nonviolent, details were not provided.
Event Highlights
Comedian Jost, known for his work on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” was seated next to President Biden during the dinner. The evening featured a comedy roast and speeches, including remarks from Biden that are expected to touch on various topics including self-mockery, press relations, and political commentary.
The annual dinner, organized by the White House Correspondents’ Association since 1920, aims to honor top reporters and support journalism scholarships.