Capitol police clashed with violent protestors outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in Washington, with authorities restraining the activists calling for a ceasefire in Gaza late on Nov. 15.
Roads were closed along South Capitol Street between Canal and E streets Southeast and Ivy Street between Canal Street and New Jersey Avenue Southeast.
“Our officers are continuing to keep the illegal protesters back from the area. Again, please stay away from the area near Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE,” the thread of posts on X read.
Even though a “large group of illegal protesters near Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE, have cleared out,” Capitol Police officers plan to stay on scene “out of an abundance of caution.”
Police suffered injuries during the clash.
“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 final post in the thread reads.
Many commentators voiced their concern that only one person was arrested while others compared the incident to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.
DNC Evacuation
According to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who was in the DNC building and had to be evacuated, the protestors were violent and attacked police with pepper spray.Based on comments made by Mr. Sherman to the media, about seven members of Congress were inside the building when the attack took place. Some members, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) had left the building before the protest broke out, Mr. Sherman claimed.
Mr. Casten alluded to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach.
“You have the Constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest,“ he wrote. ”But blocking all entries to a building with multiple members of Congress in it, protected by Capitol Police officers who have lived through January 6 is putting you and other innocent people at risk.
“We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protestors’ intent; they knew only that Members of Congress were inside, could not leave and that protestors would not let police through. Forcing police to guess intent is irresponsible and dangerous.
Protestors and Projectiles
The protestors were part of four advocacy groups, according to a post on X by If Not Now, one of the groups. The other protesters were from the Jewish Voice for Peace Action (JVP), Democratic Socialists of America, and The Democrats. They linked hands and sang slogans, such as, “Which side are you on?”After refusing to move away from the building, police resorted to force and fired projectiles containing irritants to disperse the crowd.
They also claimed that they were hit by police bikes. “Protestors were choked and violently handled by multiple offices at once, thrown against the wall, then grabbed and picked up and thrown down the front stairs.”
“Dozens of people were kicked, kneed and punched in the face,” the post read.
Beth Miller, the political director of the group, said: “With every passing minute that President Biden and the Democratic Party refuse to heed the calls of their voters and demand a ceasefire, more Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by Israeli airstrikes and siege. In their homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques, and by starvation, dehydration, and disease.”
Renée Paradis of the Democratic Socialists of America said, “Calling for a ceasefire is not a radical or fringe demand.”
“Tonight, police lied about the protest being violent, even as they roughed up protestors, sprayed tear gas on the crowd, and literally trampled vigil candles beneath their feet.”
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