Six officers were injured Wednesday night during a pro-Palestine demonstration in front of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. Demanding a ceasefire in Israel, the participants ended up "illegally and violently protesting," according to the United States Capitol Police (USCP) on X (formerly Twitter):
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
Authorities recommended citizens to stay away from the area, as the environment was becoming tense. Once the rally ended, the USCP reported that six police officers suffered injuries, ranging from minor cuts to burns caused by pepper spray and even punches inflicted by the most violent protesters:
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
Along with this, authorities reported the arrest of one person for attacking an officer. However, they did not reveal the total number of arrests made during the protest:
I fully condemn this mostly peaceful protest at the Democratic Party’s HQ in Washington by Hamas sympathizers
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 16, 2023
🚨#BREAKING: The Capitol Police have announced that six of their officers were injured, with injuries ranging from minor cuts to being pepper-sprayed and punched. One person has been arrested for assaulting an officer, along with other arrests from tonight's violent gathering pic.twitter.com/912YfisfDW
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 16, 2023
Violent pro-Palestine demonstration
The reactions from members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, were almost immediate. One of the first was California Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman. He explained to the AP that about 100 people were holding a reception at the party headquarters and had their speeches interrupted by chanting outside. Right after, he said, seven members of Congress were evacuated by police:
Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.
Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely. (1/2) https://t.co/tYVCK3o0YA
— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) November 16, 2023
Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois, was also evacuated from the Democratic National Committee headquarters. The politician also made a post on X thanking authorities for their quick action after the demonstration intensified:
I was just evacuated from the @dccc office after the building was surrounded by protestors who had blocked all modes of ingress and egress. Grateful to Capitol Police for getting all members and staff out safely. To the protestors: PLEASE don’t do something irresponsible /1
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) November 16, 2023
Republicans were slightly more critical of those protesting in front of the Democratic building. One such example was former Michigan representative and current Senate candidate Peter Meijer. On X, he highlighted the differences between this rally and the March for Israel:
A quarter-million folks rallying on the Mall yesterday to support Israel? Peaceful, orderly, strong.
Two hundred anti-Israel protestors outside DNC tonight? Chaos, weakness, Capitol buildings locked down.
Says a lot! https://t.co/xQI7hDmuyO
— Peter Meijer (@VoteMeijer) November 16, 2023
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton assured on X that the Biden administration should take action against pro-Palestine protesters and treat them in the same manner as the Jan. 6 rioters:
Biden admin must use every law-enforcement tactic against these pro-Hamas insurrectionists that it has used in the January 6 cases.
Track them down, arrest them, convict them, and lock ‘em up. https://t.co/8gYbgBnzlV
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) November 16, 2023
