Police in Washington, D.C. were called to a protest outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters on Wednesday night, as demonstrators demanded a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S. Capitol Police reported that approximately 150 people were engaging in an “illegal and violent protest” near the DNC building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, leading to the evacuation of members of Congress.
Videos shared on social media captured scenes of protesters pushing police officers and attempting to grab metal barricades as law enforcement moved in to make arrests. The footage also showed officers shoving protesters. The majority of the demonstrators wore black shirts with the slogan “Cease Fire Now.”
The protest included participants from If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace, who have previously organized demonstrations in Washington. If Not Now posted on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), accusing the police of using excessive force. The group stated, “We are linking arms, threatening no one, and begging our politicians to support an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza. Begging, peacefully, for a ceasefire.”
This clash marks the latest instance of escalating tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. President Joe Biden has faced mounting pressure from the left wing of the Democratic Party regarding his support for Israel’s military operations. Protesters have interrupted his speeches, demanding a cease-fire. Instead of calling for an immediate end to the fighting, Biden has advocated for temporary pauses to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the potential extraction of hostages.
In a recent vote, numerous House Democrats joined forces with nearly all Republicans to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the sole Palestinian American in Congress. The censure stemmed from Tlaib’s criticism of the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, who has relatives in the West Bank, faced significant backlash for not immediately condemning Hamas after their attack. She has since condemned the terrorist group while also calling for a cease-fire.
The Metropolitan Police Department also responded to the disturbance, and an alert was issued to congressional staffers stating that entry and exit into House office buildings would be prohibited. Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, disclosed that he was evacuated from the building by police after protesters started “pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.”
The article was written by Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick of the Associated Press.
