Pro-Palestine protest at Orioles game sparks media frenzy

On July 23, four Peoples Power Assembly organizers raised two Palestinian flags in the stands behind home plate at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore’s baseball team, the Orioles, has called Camden Yards home since 1993.

As soon as the PPA organizers drew the flags, they were stormed by right-wing fans and Orioles security. It should be noted that seats become more expensive the closer they are to the field. Plenty of working-class people attend Orioles games; however, the individuals sitting in the most expensive seats were, for the most part, wealthy and hostile to the cause of Palestine. 

Several fascists attempted to snatch the flags from the organizers’ hands. Other right-wing fans spit on the group and hurled slurs. That said, support could be heard from the seats higher up in the stands. The masses of the people support Palestine. 

Even though security and fascists forced the PPA organizers from the game, the demonstration generated a large reaction in the mainstream press. The Orioles’ Baltimore Sun beat reporter captured the entire demonstration and altercation on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

In particular, ultra-Zionist media sources such as “Shirion Collective,” “the Media Research Center,” and “Israel Hayom” responded strongly to the anti-Zionist disruption. Shirion Collective actually went as far as to encourage a violent response to the PPA organizers. Yet, it was the Zionists who were inciting. 

Directly after the demonstration, the Orioles released a ludicrous statement: “The individuals displaying political signage, which is a violation of our policy, were not seated in their ticketed seats and inciting fans in the surrounding area.” 

So, to get this straight, four people wave two flags, and that justifies a fascist mob response? There always seems to be an excuse for the right wing’s bad behavior. Fact is, Orioles owner David Rubenstein has skin in the game. Rubinstein’s investment firm, the Carlyle Group, is heavily invested in General Dynamics and similar defense contractors. Needless to say, the genocide against Gaza has been profitable for Rubenstein and Carlyle. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Rubenstein has a long-standing friendship with genocidal maniac-in-chief Benjamin Netanyahu. 

The movement for Palestine must continue to confront the U.S. warmongers and fascists behind Zionism’s reign. As long as Palestine remains occupied, the U.S. ruling class and their Zionist running dogs must know absolutely no peace. 

Lev Koufax is an anti-Zionist Jewish activist.