US Capitol Police officers clashed with dozens of activists demanding a ceasefire in Gaza gathered outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) offices in Washington on Wednesday night.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests have erupted globally since Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking nearly 240 captives back to Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian violent protest erupts outside DNC headquarters in Washington DC, Capitol police injured https://t.co/bcSQKeiz6O
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 16, 2023
US Police Clash with Protestors
The demonstration was organised by three advocacy groups, including members of IfNotNow, a group that urges US Jewish groups to stop supporting Israel’s policies towards Palestinians; Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that supports Palestinian independence; and the Democratic Socialists of America.
The protesters, many wearing ‘CeaseFire Now’ t-shirts, locked arms in front of the DNC building’s entrance near the Capitol, chanting, ‘Which side are you on?’
Officers reportedly pushed and dragged protestors away from the area to remove them. Police also used pepper spray and opened fire with bullets filled with chemical irritants.
Demonstrator Dani Noble stated that dozens came to the DNC to urge the Democratic Party’s leadership to support a peaceful Gaza ceasefire. However, “we were met by police pulling on folks that are disabled or have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground in riot gear,” she added.
Noble asserted, “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight. It is absolutely shameful.”
🚨#BREAKING: Capitol police are now in riot gear as all members inside the Democratic National Committee Headquarters have been evacuated during a private event. Authorities are advising everyone to stay away from the area due to violent protests. pic.twitter.com/35B5Ksn8sZ
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2023
Capitol Police Statement
Meanwhile, the Capitol Police gave a slightly different account of the clash, declaring in a statement on Thursday that officers pulled people off the DNC building, pushed them back and cleared them from the area during last night’s ceasefire demonstrations.
Per the statement, “We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last night’s group was not peaceful. The crowd failed to obey our lawful order to move back from the DNC, where Members of Congress were in the building.”
The US Capitol Police said roughly 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting.” Six officers were treated for injuries that ranged from cuts to being pepper sprayed and attacked.
“Last night, our team was quick, decisive, courageous, and in control. When demonstrations cross the line into illegal activity, it is our responsibility to maintain order and ensure people’s safety,” police said.
However, the protest organisers denied that the protestors were violent.
‘Non-violent Act of Demonstration’: Organisers
Following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations, the Jewish peace advocacy organisation IfNotNow released a list of FAQs, claiming, “Our protest was nonviolent. Capitol police brutally attacked us with no warning.”
“Instead, police arrived on the scene and immediately ran at protestors, shoving many down the stairs,” the organisation explained in a statement, describing the officers’ actions as “brutal and reckless.”
According to the organisation, nearly 90 protesters were injured last night.
Over 90 protesters were injured by violent attacks from the police.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
Dragged by the hair. Pepper sprayed in the face. Thrown down the stairs. Choked and thrown into a wall. Hit by bicycles.
This was @CapitolPolice’s immediate response to a nonviolent protest. pic.twitter.com/1lyItlMDvz
As per the statement, the organisation also considered the protests a “nonviolent act of civil disobedience” and claimed that “at no point did anyone try to enter the Democratic National Committee building.”
“The purpose of the protest was to speak peacefully to members of Congress as they exited the building and share that 80% of Democrats - their base - want to see a ceasefire,” the statement added.
Jewish Voice for Peace posted on social media that the protesters had convened to demand a ceasefire and set out candles in memory of the Palestinians who had died as a result of Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
Democratic Leadership’s Response
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene issued the following statement:
“Last night, Members of the House Democratic Caucus, hardworking staffers and dozens of guests from throughout the country were participating in an event inside the Democratic National Committee building when some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration.”
Additionally, Sean Casten, a congressman, stated, “We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protesters’ intent; they knew only that members of Congress were inside, could not leave, and that protesters would not let police through.”