CaliConservative

Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrating in the Gaslamp district in San Diego outside Comic-Con. 

Photo By Nick Main

By: Danielle Main 

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched outside San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2025, demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. The protest, organized by the San Diego for Palestine Coalition, briefly disrupted traffic near the San Diego Convention Center as attendees of the pop culture event looked on.

The demonstrators gathered at 1 p.m. on Harbor Drive, chanting “Free, free Palestine” and waving Palestinian flags. They carried signs reading “End the Occupation” and “Stop Funding Genocide,” reflecting their views of the U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The rally coincided with Comic-Con’s peak attendance, drawing attention from convention-goers and passersby. 

The protest unfolded without incident, with San Diego police monitoring the event from a distance. A small group of counter-protesters holding Israeli flags appeared briefly across the street but dispersed after a short exchange of shouts. The pro-Palestinian marchers proceeded along Harbor Drive, pausing near the USS Midway Museum to deliver speeches condemning Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and Lebanon.

The demonstration is part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian activism in California, which has intensified since the Israel-Hamas war escalated on Oct. 7, 2023. That conflict began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,189 people, including 769 civilians, with currently 50 hostages being held, 20 believed to still be alive, according to Agence France-Presse and Human Rights Watch. 

Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza have killed an estimated 186,000 Palestinians, with over 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, per United Nations reports. South Africa’s 2024 case at the International Court of Justice accused Israel of genocide, a charge the court deemed “plausible, though Israel has not complied with the court’s order to suspend military operations.

In San Diego, pro-Palestinian protests have become a regular feature of the city’s activist landscape. On Oct. 5, 2024, an estimated 1,000 people marched downtown as part of an International Day of Action for Palestine, organized by groups like CODEPINK and the Palestinian Youth Movement.

That rally, like the one at Comic-Con, called for a cease-fire and an end to U.S. military funding to Israel, which totals at least $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, according to the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

California’s college campuses have been a focal point for pro-Palestinian activism. Since April 2024, encampments and protests have swept universities like UC San Diego, UCLA, and UC Irvine, with students demanding divestment from companies tied to Israel’s military. 

At UC San Diego, police dismantled a “Gaza Solidarity” encampment on May 6, 2024, arresting 65 protesters, prompting widespread criticism from faculty and students. The San Diego Faculty Association called the response “militarized” and said it “chilled free speech.” Dozens of attorneys later stepped in to help students challenge the charges, arguing the university overreached.

The Comic-Con protest highlighted the movement’s effort to reach broader audiences. “This isn’t just about Gaza; it’s about human rights,” stated Ramah Awad, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement. “Comic-Con draws people from all over, and we want them to understand the urgency of this crisis.” Some convention attendees paused to listen, while others expressed discomfort with the protest’s timing. 

Whitney Miller, a 29-year-old attendee from Los Angeles, states, “It is difficult to think about it. But it is understandable why they are here; a lot is going on. I do know these protests have brought a lot of violence, so that can be stressful in a place like Comic-Con with so many people.” Miller continues and says, “I do understand why they want to spread awareness to the big crowds of people.”

Rick Steves shares his point of view about the protests, stating, “I think it is disgusting, you have a bunch of misinformed people out here. People are here to have a good time and celebrate pop culture, the things that make us different and the same, and it unifies us. Then you have these people abusing their free speech; they are so misinformed, and they come off as anti-Semitic.” Stevee further states, “Since October 7, I do not think we have enough information to have a stance such as this. We cannot judge how another country is reacting to an attack on itself. I think it comes off as not criticizing a government but a whole group of people.” 

The broader context of California’s pro-Palestinian movement reflects decades of tension. Despite these divisions, the Comic-Con protest remained focused on its message. Demonstrators distributed flyers outlining their demands: an immediate cease-fire, an end to U.S. military aid, and divestment from companies profiting from the conflict.

As the march concluded, organizers vowed to continue their efforts. The protest dispersed by 4 p.m., leaving behind a few lingering attendees who snapped photos of the signs and flags. San Diego police reported no arrests, and Comic-Con activities resumed without further disruption.

The rally underscored the growing visibility of pro-Palestinian activism in California, from college campuses to cultural events. As the Israel-Hamas war continues, with no cease-fire in sight, such demonstrations are likely to persist, challenging local leaders and communities to engage with the issue.

For now, the voices of San Diego’s protesters echo a global call for change, amplified by the unlikely backdrop of Comic-Con’s vibrant celebration.