Capitol Police detained dozens of anti-Israel demonstrators on Tuesday following an alleged disruptive demonstration inside the Dirksen Senate Building, the New York Post reported.
Members of Christians for a Free Palestine and the feminist group Code Pink held banners with slogans such as “The Senate can’t eat until Gaza eats!” as they marched into the Senate building for a rally. He allegedly broke into the cafeteria. They entered the building around 12:30 p.m. and were eventually arrested for illegal protest. according to to the New York Post.
“Approximately 50 people were arrested for unlawful demonstrations inside the Dirksen Senate Building this afternoon. Demonstrations inside the Capitol are illegal,” Capitol Police told the New York Post.
Dozens of anti-Israel protesters arrested in Senate cafeteria attack: police https://t.co/0sAPx6oW15
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Christians protesting U.S. policy toward Israel, calling for a free Palestine, and Code Pink, known for disrupting Congressional hearings, banded together and stormed the building. Video footage showed that the protesters who earlier blocked the Senate cafeteria were also attending Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s budget hearing. During the hearing, Austin denied accusations that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, a point of contention among Israel’s critics, the paper said. (Related: Pro-Palestinian activists paint red paint on left-wing party headquarters)
Christians for Palestinian Freedom led a peaceful protest and blocked off a cafeteria to highlight their calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, a resumption of aid, and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. They vowed to keep the cafeteria closed until the U.S. backed Gaza and halted a bombing campaign that has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, the New York Post reported.
“More than 50 Christian leaders from across the United States nonviolently blocked the Senate dining hall and urged the Senate and its staff to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, restore aid to UNRWA, and force military support for Israel. We pressured them to stop funding,” Christians for a Free Palestine said in New York. post.
According to the New York Post, Christians for a Free Palestine reported that police arrested about 55 protesters, including 30 clergymen. The arrests came as parliament returned from its two-week Easter break.
