Hundreds of protesters were arrested on Capitol Hill today as they protested outside the Cannon office building to demand a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Demonstrators initially protested on Capitol grounds, but then moved to the rotunda of the office building, where some media crews were stationed for correspondents to perform stand-up acts during congressional proceedings. Capitol Police said protests would not be allowed inside the Capitol buildings and three protesters were arrested and charged with assaulting an officer during processing.
The protests were organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, which says it is the largest progressive anti-Zionist organization in the world.
Demonstrators unfurled a banner in the roundabout that read: “Jews Say Ceasefire Now!” and another that read: “Let Gaza live.” Throughout the afternoon, protesters lined the aisles with plastic handcuffs to be handled, sometimes chanting repeatedly.
A Capitol Police spokesman told ABC News that about 300 people were arrested during the demonstration, most of them for protesting. The public may enter Capitol office buildings but may not cause a nuisance.
“We warned protesters to stop demonstrating, and when they did not comply, we began arresting them,” Capitol Police said.
Reporters covering the speakers’ voice went to the Cannon Building to observe the protests. Capitol police increased security that day by locking down parts of the Capitol grounds, and as protests began in Cannon, they closed many entrances to House office buildings. The area was cleared at 6:00 PM ET.
Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) watched the protests from the Rotunda and waved an Israeli flag. He wrote on X/Twitter: “I stand with Israel!”
Source: Deadline
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