Amid Israel’s escalating war with Hamas in Gaza, pro-Palestinian sympathizers called for an Israeli ceasefire in the region while gathering outside and inside the U.S. Capitol complex in Washington, D.C.
Thousands of protesters congregated Wednesday both around and inside the Cannon House Office Building, leading to an estimated 300 arrests of demonstrators.
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Arrests and protests ongoing inside and outside of Cannon Office Building right across Independence Ave from the Capitol. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/g4M5Bq9bBd
— Adam Longo (@adamlongoTV) October 18, 2023
BREAKING: Law enforcement has made many arrests after the unlawful occupation of the US Capitol by protesters.#Protest #Arrest #Capitol #US@NewsFromCalay | https://t.co/cm7QWnLj8Q pic.twitter.com/nRgZTlB8dP
— S (@calaynewsbackup) October 18, 2023
“A group of protesters are demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside Congressional Buildings,” Capitol Police posted on X around 3 p.m. “We warned the protestors to stop demonstrating and when they did not comply we began arresting them.”
At the time, Capitol Police did not officially disclose how many protesters were arrested at the anti-Israel rally, led by progressive Jewish activists affiliated with Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow.
“For 75 years, the Israeli government has illegally occupied Palestinian land and ethnically cleansed their communities,” Jewish Voice for Peace posted on X after several arrests were made. “Now, Gaza is facing genocide with full support from the U.S. and we’re here as Jews to refuse complicity and say never again, for anyone.” About 10,000 protesters were reportedly in attendance throughout the day.
Capital Building security grabbed and ripped apart the banner demanding ceasefire: a living metaphor of Congress’s current approach to Gaza.
Our movement will not stop until we get a ceasefire. @jvplive pic.twitter.com/9HMyQ845LE
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) October 18, 2023
After directing the demonstration outside, Capitol Police closed down roads near the Cannon Building to provide safety for the general public in the area. The roads re-opened around 5:20 p.m.
The House sergeant-at-arms told congressional offices all visitors would be restricted to a single door in an attempt to control the public flow into the complex. Other entry points were restricted to lawmakers and staff only. Office-building restrictions in the Capitol’s vicinity lifted at 7 p.m.
Bike-rack barriers were set up around the Capitol Tuesday night ahead of the large protest.