Police use pepper spray and fire projectiles containing chemical irritants at “non-violent” protesters in Washington, DC.
Police in riot gear confronted protesters calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Gaza outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC.
Protesters, many wearing shirts reading “Cease Fire Now,” locked arms outside the entrance to the DNC building near the Capitol on Wednesday evening, where some chanted, “Which side are you on?” YOU ?
Police pushed and pulled protesters in an attempt to clear them from the area, at one point pushing a protester down a flight of stairs leading to the entrance. Police also used pepper spray and fired projectiles containing chemical irritants.
Protester Dani Noble said people came to the DNC to peacefully call on Democratic Party leaders to support a ceasefire in Gaza.
Instead, “we were met by police shooting at people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, dragging them to the ground in riot gear,” Noble said.
“It is shameful how nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight. It’s absolutely shameful,” he added.
Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting.” He said six officers were treated for injuries, ranging from cuts to pepper spraying and punches.
“One person has been arrested for assault on an officer,” Capitol Police said on social media.
Protest organizers rejected claims that demonstrators were violent.
Police escorted lawmakers who were in the DNC offices at the time out of the building to safety.
Congressman Sean Casten said, “We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the intentions of the protesters; they only knew that the members of Congress were inside, that they could not get out, and that the demonstrators would not let the police through.
The protest was organized by three advocacy groups and included members of IfNotNow, a group that urges American Jewish groups to end their support for Israeli policies toward the Palestinians; Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that advocates for Palestinian independence; and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Jewish Voice for Peace wrote on social media that protesters gathered to lay candles in honor of Palestinians killed in Israeli bombings and to call for a ceasefire.
Last week, a large number of House Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, for her criticism of the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians.
Public protests – both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli – have spread around the world since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack in Israel that killed 1,200 people and Israel began a bombardment relentless attack on Gaza which has killed more than 11,300 Palestinians. , about 40 percent of whom are children.
Wednesday’s ceasefire protest came a day after thousands of pro-Israel demonstrators gathered on the National Mall, holding signs with words such as: “Let Israel finish the job.” , “From the river to the sea, Israel is all you can make.” see”, and calling for “no ceasefire”.