https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231019/hundreds-of-peaceful-demonstrators-protesting-gaza-conflict-arrested-at-us-capitol-1062914916.html
Hundreds of Peaceful Demonstrators Protesting Gaza Conflict Arrested at US Capitol
Hundreds of Peaceful Demonstrators Protesting Gaza Conflict Arrested at US Capitol
Sputnik Africa
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - It has taken the US police over two hours to put several hundred arrested demonstrators protesting over the Gaza crisis into the police... 19.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-19T09:52+0200
2023-10-19T09:52+0200
2023-10-19T10:01+0200
united states (us)
israel
palestine
gaza
israel-palestine escalation
protests
demonstrations
hamas
arrest
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According to the local media, citing the Washington DC police, at least 300 people were arrested during protesting against the Israel-Hamas war at the US Congress in Washington. Several buses and vans filled with arrested protesters left the area, while many more waited to be taken away as well. The arrests began after 4:00 p.m. local time, and three hours later they were still awaiting their transfer. Some passers were sending air kisses and some even yelled “we love you” to support the arrested, while the participants of the rally sang "Bella Ciao" along with those handcuffed. According to the group, some 500 protesters consisting of Jews, rabbis and descendants of Holocaust survivors were inside the Cannon building chanting "Let Gaza Live" while another 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside.Several dozen demonstrators remained on Capitol grounds singing and chanting in support of Palestine, the correspondent reported, adding that at the moment the protest is peaceful and the majority of the participants have left.The demonstration started at noon and has been ongoing for at least six hours.The US Capitol Police said in a statement that the demonstrations were not allowed inside Canon Congressional Building and arrested them when they failed to comply to warnings to stop demonstrating.Capitol Police said the Cannon Rotunda was all cleared of protesters, but they were still processing arrests. Among those arrests, three people have been arrested and charged with assault on a police officer during processing, police said.Arrested Won't Serve Long Jail TimeAccording to former US Justice Department prosecutor Ronald Sievert, the arrested demonstrators may face trespassing charges similar to January 6 protesters, but they are not expected to serve lengthy jail time.On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden visited Israel to showcase the United States' support for the country in its efforts to destroy Hamas.In the meantime, Jewish Voice For Peace, affiliated with the anti-Gaza War protest, said many are mourning their Israeli and Palestinian friends and loved ones.The participants, which included more than 1,000 Jews, demanded that US lawmakers pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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united states (us), israel, palestine, gaza, protests, demonstrations, hamas, arrest
united states (us), israel, palestine, gaza, protests, demonstrations, hamas, arrest
Hundreds of Peaceful Demonstrators Protesting Gaza Conflict Arrested at US Capitol
09:52 19.10.2023 (Updated: 10:01 19.10.2023) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - It has taken the US police over two hours to put several hundred arrested demonstrators protesting over the Gaza crisis into the police buses and vans to transport to the detention center, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.
According to the local media, citing the Washington DC police, at least 300 people were arrested during protesting against the Israel-Hamas war at the US Congress in Washington.
Several buses and vans filled with arrested protesters left the area, while many more waited to be taken away as well. The arrests began after 4:00 p.m. local time, and three hours later they were still awaiting their transfer.
A couple of dozen people were rallying outside, chanting "Free Palestine."
Some passers were sending air kisses and some even yelled “we love you” to support the arrested, while the participants of the rally sang "Bella Ciao" along with those handcuffed.
Hundreds of members of the Jewish Voice for Peace advocacy group were inside the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol grounds to demand a ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war.
According to the group, some 500 protesters consisting of Jews, rabbis and descendants of Holocaust survivors were inside the Cannon building chanting "Let Gaza Live" while another 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside.
Several dozen demonstrators remained on Capitol grounds singing and chanting in support of Palestine, the correspondent reported, adding that at the moment the protest is peaceful and the majority of the participants have left.
The demonstration started at noon and has been ongoing for at least six hours.
The US Capitol Police said in a statement that the demonstrations were not allowed inside Canon Congressional Building and arrested them when they failed to comply to warnings to stop demonstrating.
Capitol Police said the Cannon Rotunda was all cleared of protesters, but they were still processing arrests. Among those arrests, three people have been arrested and charged with assault on a police officer during processing, police said.
Arrested Won't Serve Long Jail Time
According to former US Justice Department prosecutor Ronald Sievert, the arrested demonstrators may face trespassing charges similar to January 6 protesters, but they are not expected to serve lengthy jail time.
"My guess is that there is a trespass statute similar to that used against 1/6 [January 6] protesters that will be used," Sievert said told Sputnik. "I would not expect lengthy jail time except for those who assaulted officers."
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden visited Israel to showcase the United States' support for the country in its efforts to destroy Hamas.
In the meantime, Jewish Voice For Peace, affiliated with the anti-Gaza War protest, said many are mourning their Israeli and Palestinian friends and loved ones.
"We are in pain and grief, trying to process a week of horrific violence that has left so many that we know injured, traumatized, kidnapped or killed. But we refuse to let our grief be weaponized to justify the murder of more Palestinians. As American Jews, we demand a ceasefire now. No genocide in our name," the organization said on its website.
The participants, which included more than 1,000 Jews, demanded that US lawmakers pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
