Several Capitol Police officers were injured after they clashed with pro-cease-fire protesters.
On Wednesday night, a video surfaced of pro-Palestinian protesters with shirts calling for a cease-fire clashing with law enforcement outside the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters as the demonstration was broken up.
🚨#BREAKING: Pro-Palestine Protesters are Clashing with Metro DC Police Outside Democratic National Committee Headquarters
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2023
⁰📌#Washington | #DC⁰
Currently Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters have gathered outside the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in Washington,… pic.twitter.com/sNEzM2wRIC
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Capitol Police wrote, “Right now our officers are working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE. Officers are making arrests. All Members have been evacuated from the area.”
Right now our officers are working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE. Officers are making arrests. All Members have been evacuated from the area. Please stay away from the area. pic.twitter.com/qHcpyYexjm
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 16, 2023
In a separate post, it added, “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 [and] violent protesters back [and] protected everyone in the area.”
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.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 16, 2023
One of the groups that organized the demonstration, If Not Now, insisted law enforcement was being “extreme” and that protesters were “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.”
The New York Post also noted the demonstrators were seen linking arms before the police attempted to break up the protest.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said he was in the building and several lawmakers were directed by Capitol Police to go to a secure basement amid the demonstration.
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) wrote on X, “I’m with my baby at my office and the Capitol offices just went into lockdown because of these clowns. Imagine being that unhinged. Nut jobs.”
I’m with my baby at my office and the Capitol offices just went into lockdown because of these clowns. Imagine being that unhinged. Nut jobs.
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) November 16, 2023
pic.twitter.com/30AXnxsQRJ
The incident came a day after nearly 300,000 people rallied in D.C. in support of Israel.