Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with Capitol Police officers outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night.
As Democratic politicians and officials attended a campaign reception inside, the protesters began chanting and blocking the entrances and exits to the building, demanding a cease-fire.
Video of the demonstration shows Capitol Police officers struggling to drag protesters, many of whom are wearing “Ceasefire Now” shirts, away from the building. One protester was arrested for punching a cop and six officers were injured in the mayhem.
“Tonight 6 officers were treated for injuries – ranging from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched. One person has been arrested for assault on an officer. We appreciate our officers who kept these illegal & violent protesters back & protected everyone in the area,” Capitol Police said in a tweet.
🚨BREAKING: Police officers are literally pulling a mob of far left, pro-Hamas lunatics away from the door to the Democrat National Committee headquarters in DC tonight.
All hell has broke loose.pic.twitter.com/anWqhfppJX
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 16, 2023
The groups Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now organized the protest.
In a post on X, If Not Now insisted that the protest had been peaceful until the cops arrived.
BREAKING: Police are being extremely violent outside @TheDemocrats headquarters.
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.
And this is the response. pic.twitter.com/ACdgM9ehYe
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
During the protest, Capitol Police entered the building and urged the assembled lawmakers to shelter in the basement, according to Representative Brad Sherman. Some lawmakers were then rushed from the building in police cars.
Representative Sean Casten (D., Ill.) posted a thread to X, revealing he was one of the individuals evacuated from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee office “after the building was surrounded by protestors who had blocked all modes of ingress and egress.” He implored the protesters, “Don’t do something irresponsible.”
“You have the Constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest,” Casten said. “But blocking all entries to a building with multiple members of Congress in it, protected by Capitol Police officers who have lived through January 6 is putting you and other innocent people at risk.” The congressman thanked the Capitol Police for handling the situation safely and effectively.
Senator Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) shared a notice showing correspondence that said all House buildings were locked down in response to the demonstration.