Hundreds of pro-Palestine activists swarmed the rotunda in the Cannon House Office building on Tuesday ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
NEW: Hundreds of activists with Jewish Voice for Peace are protesting in Capitol Hill's Canon rotunda, calling for an arms embargo to Israel amid its ongoing ground assault in Gaza.
Some wear Tallitot w/the slogan “never again for anyone.”
Netanyahu speaks to Congress tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NmYGFvTfsW
— Jack Jenkins (@jackmjenkins) July 23, 2024
The anti-Israel insurrectionists, who call themselves “Jewish Voice for Peace,” were chanting in support of forcing Israel to stop its fight against Hamas terrorists and its efforts to rescue hostages still being held captive in Gaza. As Breitbart News noted, “The group, Jewish Voice for Peace, has a record of rhetorical support for anti-Israel terror. It has invaded Capitol office buildings before.”
In videos of their attempt to occupy the building, activists could be seen wearing shirts that read “Stop Arming Israel” and “Not in Our Name.” Others could be seen holding banners reading “Jews say: stop the genocide” and “Let Gaza Live.”
The occupation quickly got out of hand, according to reports, as activists were aggressively trying to harass lawmakers — with Fox News noting that they attempted to barge into lawmakers’ offices, including Rep. Dan Kildee’s (D-MI) office.
“Hundreds of protesters outside the office became disruptive, violently beating on the office doors, shouting loudly, and attempting to force entry into the office,” the Democrat congressman’s chief of staff told Fox News. “U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Sergeant at Arms responded immediately to the incident.”
In a post on X, Capitol Police confirmed that they had arrested several of the insurrectionists, though they have not disclosed how many were taken into custody nor what charges they are facing.
“We are arresting a group that is illegally demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them,” the post read.
We are arresting a group that is illegally demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them. pic.twitter.com/UVhfO9uroo
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) July 23, 2024
Capitol Police are reportedly planning their response to a larger anti-Israel demonstration that will likely take place on Wednesday in response to Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, as thousands of activists are descending on Washington, D.C.
📬 From the inbox:
Congressional Staff for a Ceasefire Now will hold a demonstration during the Netanyahu address tomorrow.
Text 202-643-3813 for more information! pic.twitter.com/gPgVifHA5k
— Congressional Progressive Staff Association (@cpsaDC) July 23, 2024
Meanwhile, many on social media are once again asking why Capitol Police have not responded to the leftist pro-Palestine demonstration in the same way that they responded to the January 6 Capitol protests, citing footage of tear gas and pepper spray being used on peaceful conservative demonstrators.
The U.S. Capitol was just taken over by Palestinian protesters. Where is the tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets used on Trump supporters. Goes to prove J6 was instigated by the government pic.twitter.com/tXPj6h5cDo
— Frank Furter (@FrankFurter420a) July 23, 2024
