Protesters representing more than 80 progressive groups took over the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday to demand Congress call for a ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza.
Dozens of demonstrators entered the United States Capitol Building as though they were going to take part in the public tours offered by the Capitol Visitor Center, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.
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Just prior to making those arrests, demonstrators scattered children’s shoes on the ground to honor the Palestinian children who have perished in the conflict.
Once inside, USCP said in a statement, officers waited for the individuals to begin protesting before making arrests.
About 60 people were taken into custody and charged with violating a part of the D.C. Code related to illegally protesting inside a congressional office building.
“We were aware of a group’s potential plan to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and then start a protest,” the USCP said. “It is against the law to demonstrate inside the Congressional Buildings, so we brought in additional officers to be prepared for the moment the group would break the law.”
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Action Center on Race and Economy, Adalah Justice Project, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, and the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights were the sponsoring organizations for Tuesday’s protest, though about 80 other anti-Israel groups also participated.
In addition to demanding an end to the fighting in Gaza, protesters opposed President Joe Biden’s proposed aid package to Israel and additional immigration enforcement at the southern border in exchange for Ukraine aid.
