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Demonstrators protesting Israel‘s actions in Gaza clashed with police outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. tonight, forcing the lockdown of nearby House of Representatives office buildings.
The demonstrators are calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“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 Capitol Police said in a statement.
Capitol Police also restricted entry and exit from House of Representatives office buildings for a time.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), whose district includes the San Fernando Valley area, wrote on X/Twitter that he was evacuated from the DNC.
He wrote, “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.”
But Semafor’s David Weigel wrote on X/Twitter that the protesters blocked the entrances but did not try to storm the offices. He also wrote that he saw a Capitol Police officer use pepper spray, not the other way around. Weigel also posted video of the scene.
The protests have been ongoing in Washington, D.C. since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Hundreds were arrested last month for demonstrating inside the Cannon office building, chanting calls for a ceasefire.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied on the National Mall in support of Israel and denouncing anti-semitism.
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