Police and protesters clash outside Democratic headquarters during a demonstration over the war between Israel and Hamas
WASHINGTON — Police and protesters clashed outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters Wednesday evening during a demonstration for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of simmering tensions over the bloody conflict.
Dozens of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were in the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by singing outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to back down from their candlelight vigils and calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts with the text ‘Cease fire now’.
However, the situation changed quickly. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “protesting illegally and violently” in Washington’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers stormed them without warning.
“It is shameful how nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight,” said Dani Noble, who came from Philadelphia for the demonstration. “It’s absolutely shameful.”
Noble said police, some of whom were wearing riot gear, “began to attract people who are disabled or have chronic illnesses and pull people to the ground.”
Inside the Democratic headquarters, police rushed into the reception area and sent lawmakers to the basement, said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. Some were later evacuated in police vehicles.
Capitol Police said six officers were treated for minor injuries and one protester was arrested for assaulting an officer. A video posted on social media showed pushing and scuffles as police entered.
The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers also responded to the disturbance. Congressional staffers received a warning stating that no one would be allowed to enter or leave the House office buildings, but authorities later reopened the entrances.
Sherman accused protesters of trying to break into Democratic headquarters in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, the protesters denied that this was their intention.
The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, which have led other demonstrations in Washington and elsewhere.
Wednesday’s clashes were the latest example of rising tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas.
Last week, a large number of House Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, for her criticism of the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, was heavily criticized for not immediately condemning Hamas after the attack. She has since called out the militant group while calling for a ceasefire.
President Joe Biden has also faced increasing pressure from the Democratic Party’s left flank over his support for Israel’s military operation. He has resisted calls for a ceasefire, saying instead that there must be lulls in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the possible extraction of hostages.
Among the participants Wednesday evening was Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who interrupted Biden’s speech at a recent fundraiser in Minneapolis.
She said Democrats “are not listening to the people they claim to represent,” adding that “these types of actions will only increase.”
“We are not slowing down,” she said. “The calls for a ceasefire will continue to grow. And our representatives must take action yesterday.”
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Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri, Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.