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U.S. House buildings went into lockdown, and lawmakers were evacuated after pro-Palestine protestors clashed with police officers at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Hundreds of demonstrators reportedly blocked the main entrance of the building and Capitol Police told congressional staff they “working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting,” according to Axios.
“Significant demonstration activity, no entry or exit is permitted at this time. You may move throughout the buildings,” the alert read.
🚨#UPDATE: Photo of the alert that was sent out though out the U.S Building pic.twitter.com/WgtgqQyLt1
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2023
Watch footage of protestors clashing with police outside DNC headquarters:
BREAKING: Left-Wing Antiwar Protesters attempting to Occupy DNC headquarters in DC, clashes with police – complete chaos @zerosum24 pic.twitter.com/Cxgu3FuyEZ
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 16, 2023
Far-left pro-Palestine rioters are clashing with police trying to enter the DNC headquarter in DC right now pic.twitter.com/UUUjezY678
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 16, 2023
🚨 Pro-Palestine Protester: “We’re outside of the Democratic Party headquarters because this party claims to be on the side of life, and peace, and equality, and we want them to live up to their values and oppose this horrific war and call for a ceasefire”pic.twitter.com/pJhzaJDDQP
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 16, 2023
🚨#BREAKING: Capitol police are now in riot gear as all members inside the Democratic National Committee Headquarters have been evacuated during a private event. Authorities are advising everyone to stay away from the area due to violent protests. pic.twitter.com/35B5Ksn8sZ
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2023
🚨#UPDATE: More video shows Capitol police attempting to remove pro-Palestine activists and protesters from the Democratic National Committee Headquarters; multiple arrests have been made by law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/Glq8g9Y9wn
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2023
BREAKING
Absolute mayhem outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC.
Ceasefire advocates who were protesting and blocking the doors of the DNC building are being pulled off, thrown down, and arrested by law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/uCEsYGQt8L
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 16, 2023
DC police manhandling Pro-Palestinian supporters demanding a ceasefire at the Democratic National Committee building. pic.twitter.com/dMAC9tTCYK
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) November 16, 2023
Axios reports:
All members were evacuated from the area, per the police.
A subsequent alert warned staffers that entering and exiting the nearby House office buildings was prohibited due to “significant demonstration activity.”
House offices were reopened shortly after after police said the protest had “dissipated.”
One House Democrat who was present at the DNC told Axios it “scared me more than January 6,” recounting that they were about to leave and return to the Capitol when police told them not to exit.
“Someone sent out word for people to come [back] and police said it’s not safe,” the lawmaker said. “Police were wearing gas masks … this was not peaceful.”
The lawmaker said that they and all their colleagues were evacuated safely.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said he was also present, posting on X: “Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely.”
“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,” the U.S. Capitol Police stated.
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
“The large group of illegal protesters near Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE, have cleared out, but USCP officers will stay on scene out of an abundance of caution,” Capitol Police 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 & violent protesters back & 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
The Associated Press added:
Protesters included members of If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace, who have organized other demonstrations in Washington.
Protester Dani Noble said the demonstrators came to the DNC on Wednesday night to peacefully call on Democratic Party leadership to support a cease-fire in Gaza. Instead, “we were met by police pulling on folks that are disabled or have have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground in riot gear,” Noble said.
Noble, who lives in Philadelphia and is a supporter of the group Jewish Voice for Peace, said no one group organized the protest, but instead it was a coalition of many groups and individuals who support a cease-fire.
“It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight. It is absolutely shameful,” Noble added.
The clashes Wednesday evening are the latest example of roiling tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas.
President Joe Biden has been under increasing pressure from the Democratic Party’s left flank over his support for Israel’s military operation, including interruptions from protesters at his speeches. He has resisted calls for a cease-fire, instead saying there should be pauses in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the potential extraction of hostages.