In a surprising turn of events on Capitol Hill, hundreds of protesters staged a coordinated demonstration inside a House office building to denounce Israel’s war in Gaza. Led by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the protesters chanted “Let Gaza live” and wore matching red T-shirts with anti-war slogans. However, Capitol Police quickly intervened, declaring the area closed and arresting hundreds of demonstrators who refused to leave.
The protest, which took place a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to address Congress, aimed to draw attention to the ongoing violence in Gaza and urge the US government to stop arming Israel. Despite calls for a ceasefire and an arms embargo, the US government has continued to provide military aid to Israel, leading to more than 39,000 deaths in Palestine since the conflict began.
Protesters, including descendants of Holocaust survivors, emphasized the importance of standing up against genocide and called for an end to the war in Gaza. Activists highlighted the role of peaceful civil disobedience in raising awareness and putting pressure on policymakers to change their stance. The protest ended with more than 400 people arrested and led away by law enforcement.
JVP reiterated their demand for an arms embargo on Israel and urged President Joe Biden and Congress to take action to halt the violence. The organization emphasized the need for accountability and called for an end to the US government’s support for Israel’s military actions. Demonstrators remained defiant until the end, chanting for freedom and justice, while raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
