A protest in Washington, labelled as “pro-terrorist” and “anti-Israel” by one US senator, has become violent, triggering a lockdown of congressional offices and the evacuation of politicians from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters.
Demonstrators seeking a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict gathered outside the DNC offices on Wednesday night, where politicians were meeting, and barred US Capitol police from entering the building. “We were rescued by armed officers who had no idea what the protesters were up to,” stated Illinois Democrat US Representative Sean Casten. “They only knew that members of Congress were inside, unable to leave, and that protesters would not allow police to enter.” Forcing cops to presume purpose is reckless and hazardous.”
Footage of the incident shows protesters clashing with police on the steps of the DNC headquarters. Police said six officers were treated for injuries, but only one protester was arrested for assault. “We appreciate our officers, who kept these illegal and violent protesters back and protected everyone in the area,” the department said in a statement.
Police later escorted people out of the DNC headquarters after nearby congressional office buildings were shut down. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, said she stopped by her office, which is approximately two streets from the DNC headquarters, when the alarm was sent.
“As soon as we stepped inside, we heard murmurs of a protest, but we didn’t realise how bad it was at the time.” “The entire Capitol and all of its facilities went on lockdown probably about 10 minutes later,” she recalled.
California Democrat Representative Brad Sherman says he was evacuated from the DNC building “after pro-terrorist, anti-Israel protesters grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.” He went on to say, “Apparently, these pro-Hamas demonstrators want Republicans to prevail in the next congressional election.”
Among the organisations participated in Wednesday’s demonstration was the Jewish group IfNotNow, which is opposed to US aid to Israel. The gang blamed the violence on the cops. “We are linking arms, threatening no one, and begging our politicians to support an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza,” the organisation stated in a statement.
Democratic Party officials, who described the January 2021 US Capitol riot as a racist “insurgency,” fell short of criticising the people participated in Wednesday’s violent protest.
