Current:Home > MarketsCapitol Police clash with group protesting "violently" outside Democratic headquarters during demonstration over Israel-Hamas war-LoTradeCoin
Capitol Police clash with group protesting "violently" outside Democratic headquarters during demonstration over Israel-Hamas war
View Date:2024-12-24 04:01:34
Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict.
Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying "Cease Fire Now."
However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 200 people were "illegally and violently protesting" in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. The agency said that the group "was not peaceful" and failed to obey orders to move away from the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Capitol Police officers pushed protesters back, pulled people from the building and cleared them from the area after the crowd pushed dumpsters in front of the exits, pepper sprayed officers and attempted to pick up a bike rack, the agency said.
"When demonstrations cross the line into illegal activity, it is our responsibility to maintain order and ensure people's safety," the department said in a statement.
But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning.
"It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight," said Dani Noble, who came from Philadelphia for the demonstration. "It is absolutely shameful."
Noble said police, some of whom were wearing riot gear, started "pulling on folks that are disabled or have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground."
Inside the Democratic headquarters, police rushed into the reception and directed lawmakers to the basement, according to Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. Some were later evacuated in police vehicles.
Capitol Police said six officers were treated for minor injuries and one protester, a 24-year-old from Woodbridge, New York, was arrested for assaulting an officer. The agency said an officer witnessed the suspect slam another officer into a garage door and punch a female officer in the face.
Video posted on social media showed shoving and scuffles as police moved in.
The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers also responded to the disturbance. Congressional staffers received an alert telling them no one would be permitted to enter or exit any House office buildings, but authorities later reopened the entrances.
Sherman accused protesters of trying to break into the Democratic headquarters in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, protesters denied that was their intention.
House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the protest and praised the U.S. Capitol Police for its response.
"As Americans, we must unite with one voice in steadfast support of our ally Israel," he said in a statement. "I want to thank the officers with the U.S. Capitol Police who worked quickly to evacuate members, staff and civilians and arrest those engaged in violence. Congress will not be intimidated by this vile display of anti-Semitism."
The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, that have spearheaded other demonstrations in Washington and elsewhere.
Wednesday's clashes were the latest example of roiling tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas.
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, over her criticism of the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, came under heavy criticism for not immediately condemning Hamas after the attack. She since has called out the militant group while also calling for a cease-fire.
President Joe Biden has also faced increasing pressure from the Democratic Party's left flank over his support for Israel's military operation. He has resisted calls for a cease-fire, instead saying there should be pauses in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the potential extraction of hostages.
Among the participants Wednesday night was Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who interrupted Biden's speech at a recent fundraiser in Minneapolis.
She said Democrats are "not listening to the people who they claim to represent," adding that "actions like this are only going to increase."
"We are not slowing down," she said. "The call for a cease-fire is going to keep growing. And our representatives need to take action, yesterday."
The protest unfolded as Israel is considering a proposal that would see Hamas release some hostages in exchange for a three-to-five-day cease-fire in the war, CBS News has learned. Aid would also be permitted into Gaza during a cessation of hostilities. Under the proposed deal, Hamas would release an unknown number of women and children, two officials with knowledge of the negotiations said.
President Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. believed there were "somewhere between 50 and 100 hostages" in Gaza. So far, only four of the captives, two Americans and two Israelis, have been released by Hamas. During those releases, short-term, targeted pauses in the fighting helped ensure safe transfers of the hostages back to Israel.
The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday voted in favor of a resolution calling for pauses in the fighting in Gaza to allow for the provision of humanitarian aid.
- In:
- Israel
- Protest
veryGood! (26498)
Related
- Residents urged to shelter in place after apparent explosion at Louisville business
- Hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, billions of dollars is cost of extreme heat in California
- Pregnant Gypsy Rose Blanchard Shares Message to Anyone Who Thinks She's Not Ready to Be a Mother
- Republicans move at Trump’s behest to change how they will oppose abortion
- Nevada Democrats keep legislative control but fall short of veto-proof supermajority
- Emma Watson Confirms New Romance With Oxford Classmate Kieran Brown
- Biden’s support on Capitol Hill hangs in the balance as Democrats meet in private
- As climate change alters lakes, tribes and conservationists fight for the future of spearfishing
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- Homes are selling below list price. That's bad for sellers, good for buyers
Ranking
- Teachers in 3 Massachusetts communities continue strike over pay, paid parental leave
- Emma Watson Confirms New Romance With Oxford Classmate Kieran Brown
- Landslide at unauthorized Indonesia goldmine kills at least 23 people, leaves dozens missing
- Chicago Baptist church pastor missing, last seen on July 2
- College Football Playoff ranking release: Army, Georgia lead winners and losers
- Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer embraces 'privilege' of following Nick Saban. Don't expect him to wilt
- 'Bob's Burgers' actor Jay Johnston pleads guilty in Capitol riot case: Reports
- What the American Pie Cast Is Up to Now
Recommendation
-
New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
-
The Daily Money: Temp jobs in jeopardy
-
Why Alex Cooper Says Zayn Malik Was Her Most Challenging Call Her Daddy Interview Yet
-
Target stores will no longer accept personal checks for payments starting July 15
-
Mississippi man charged with shooting 5 people after not being allowed into party
-
Bethenny Frankel Shares Message From Olivia Culpo Amid Ex Paul Bernon and Aurora Culpo Rumors
-
Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds talks 'harm' of Mormonism, relationship with family
-
Appeals panel keeps 21-month sentence for ex-Tennessee lawmaker who tried to withdraw guilty plea