U.S. Capitol Police arrested about 300 far-Left protesters Wednesday who took over an office building at the Capitol complex, the police service told ABC News.
Police also announced that at least three people had been charged with “Assault on a Police Officer during processing.”
The protestors came there as part of a rally organized by two anti-Israel groups, called If Now Now and Jewish Voice for Peace.
According to video of the event, the protestors were calling for the U.S. to broker a ceasefire agreement in the southern Levant. Some protestors spray-painted public property with the slogan “free Palestine,” a call to make Palestine an independent nation.
In one photo, a protestor was carrying a sign with the pro-genocide slogan, “PALESTINE IS OUR DEMAND !!! NO PEACE ON STOLEN LAND !!!”
The protesters began by disrupting traffic outside, the police said earlier that day while announcing road closures.
Then, the protesters entered the Cannon House Office Building and occupied the building’s rotunda.
Take a look at the footage —
Massive Mideast protest in the Cannon House Office Building. Signs reading “Jews demand ceasefire.” pic.twitter.com/2W9q6yY7E9
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 18, 2023
A spokesperson for U.S. Capitol Police told ABC News that protestors are allowed to enter the Capitol complex but risk arrest after causing a disturbance. In particular, the local authorities prohibit all demonstrations inside the buildings.
The Cannon House Office Building is one of the five office buildings for U.S. representatives. It contains the office of California Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Some representatives — like Massachusetts Democrat Ayanna Presley — expressed their “solidarity” with the protestors.
By Wednesday evening, the police had arrested approximately 300 protesters who refused to leave the rotunda and had re-opened the blocked roads.
In another part of the country, a Hilton hotel in Houston canceled a conference hosted by the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, according to CNN. The hotel reportedly cited “escalating security concerns,” and it was set to count Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., among its guests.
Take a look at the occupation and vandalism at the Capitol complex —
Vandalism around the capital buildings. pic.twitter.com/ATS1CL0FU3
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 18, 2023
Solidarity with those mobilizing and demanding a #CeasefireNOW to save lives. pic.twitter.com/hM7nkT7FWQ
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) October 18, 2023