Protesters demanding an end to hostilities in Gaza conflict have fought with police officers at the Democratic National Committee center near the Capitol.
yesterday, demonstrators gathered in front of the DNC entry close to the Capitol, several of them sporting shirts that said “Cease Fire Now.” Some of them even sang, “Which side are you on?”
In an attempt to get the protestors out of the vicinity, police dragged and shoved them, even pushing one down a stairway that led to the entryway. In addition, police fired bullets that contained irritating chemicals and employed pepper spray against the protesters.
People, according to a protester, arrived at the DNC to nonviolently urge Democrats and their leaders to back a ceasefire in Gaza.
However, the people were greeted by police wearing riot gear, dragging citizens to the sidewalk and pulling on individuals who are disabled or have severe diseases. “It is disgusting how our community’s members and peaceful protestors were treated violently tonight. It is really deplorable,” the same protester explained.
About 150 individuals were “illegally and violently protesting,” according to Capitol Police. Six cops were reportedly hospitalized for wounds that ranged from cuts to punches and pepper spray.
The Capitol Police Department declared on social media that a single individual has been detained for violence against an officer. Those who accused the demonstration organizers of being aggressive were refuted. Legislators present at the DNC headquarters were taken by police out of their offices and to protection.
“We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protesters’ intent; they knew only that members of Congress were inside, could not leave and that protesters would not let police through,” Illinois representative in congress, Sean Casten, stated.
Capitol Protest Organizers
Representatives of IfNotNow participated in the event, which was organized by three advocacy organizations. A campaign called IfNotNow calls on American Jewish organizations to stop endorsing Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people. Among the organizers were Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization that supports Palestinian statehood, and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Jewish Voice for Peace posted on X that the demonstrators had convened to demand a truce and to set out candles in memory of the Palestinian people who had died as a result of Israel’s bombing in Gaza.
Almost all Republican representatives and a significant number of Democrats voted last week to denounce Representative Rashida Tlaib. Because of her condemnation of the Israeli administration’s policies toward Palestinian people, the lone American-Palestinian representative faces the censure.
Pro-Palestine public protests have spread across the world since Hamas began attacking Israel last month. Israel started bombarding Gaza nonstop after that, and over 11,300 Palestinian people have died as a result—roughly 40% of them were children.
The pro-ceasefire rally on Wednesday took place one day after hundreds of pro-Israeli demonstrators flocked to the National Mall. They carried signs that said, “Let Israel finish the job,” “From the river to the sea, Israel is all you’ll see.”
