Protesters on Capitol Hill name for Israel-Gaza cease-fire, tons of arrested

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Tons of of protesters demonstrated on Capitol Hill and occupied a part of a Home workplace constructing on Wednesday, urging lawmakers and the Biden administration to push for a cease-fire in Gaza, which has been below Israeli airstrikes since a lethal Hamas terror assault.

Wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the phrases “Jews say stop hearth now” and “Not in our identify,” the activists sat clapping and singing on the ground within the rotunda of the Cannon Home Workplace Constructing and held up massive banners that learn “Ceasefire” and “Let Gaza Dwell.”

Jewish Voice For Peace Protesters On Capitol Hill — Protesters with Jewish Voice for Peace throughout an indication within the Cannon Home Workplace Constructing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, 2023.

Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs

“We warned the protestors to cease demonstrating and when they didn’t comply we started arresting them,” the U.S. Capitol Police stated in a assertion on X, previously referred to as Twitter.

Capitol Police stated protests will not be allowed contained in the constructing. They informed CBS Information the protesters entered the constructing legally and correctly by way of customer safety checkpoints, and have been permitted to collect and congregate, however didn’t comply with police warnings after starting the demonstrations.

Police gave an early estimate that about 300 demonstrators have been arrested, however stated the quantity might develop as they proceed processing arrests. Three individuals have been charged with assaulting cops, Capitol Police stated on social media.

The protest was organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish anti-Zionist group.

Earlier than the sit-in, tons of of individuals had gathered on the Nationwide Mall close to the Capitol urging the Biden administration to name for a cease-fire.

“Biden actually is the one one which has the ability to stress Israel proper now and he wants to make use of that energy to avoid wasting harmless lives,” Hannah Lawrence, 32, who got here from Vermont.

Linda Holtzman, 71, a rabbi from Philadelphia, demanded a direct cease-fire and urged Biden to “open your eyes.”

“Have a look at what’s occurring in Gaza. Have a look at the devastation in Gaza,” stated Holtzman. “If you need to have the ability to stay with your self, you’ll want to arise and finish the genocide. I demand a cease-fire proper now.”