A contingent of veritable insurrectionists stormed Capitol Hill’s Canon rotunda Tuesday to illegally protest an upcoming speech by Israel’s prime minister.
Wearing red shirts containing a variety of slogans like “Stop Arming Israel,” the insurrectionists sat in a giant circle in the rotunda and then chanted.
Watch via national reporter Jack Jenkins of RNS (Religion News Service):
NEW: Hundreds of activists with Jewish Voice for Peace are protesting in Capitol Hill’s Canon rotunda, calling for an arms embargo to Israel amid its ongoing ground assault in Gaza.
Some wear Tallitot w/the slogan “never again for anyone.”
Netanyahu speaks to Congress tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NmYGFvTfsW
— Jack Jenkins (@jackmjenkins) July 23, 2024
Organizers of the demonstration told the media that they were from Jewish Voice for Peace, an ostensibly Jewish organization that essentially supports Hamas.
The Capitol Police, to its credit, eventually cleared out the insurrectionists.
“We are arresting a group that is illegally demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda,” the police tweeted that afternoon.
“Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them,” they added.
We are arresting a group that is illegally demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them. pic.twitter.com/UVhfO9uroo
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) July 23, 2024
UPDATE: Approximately 200 people were arrested for D.C. Code § 22–1307 – Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding – for demonstrating inside the Cannon House Office Building. Demonstrating inside the Congressional Buildings is against the law.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) July 24, 2024
Responding to the police’s tweets, critics called for the protesters to be treated (or mistreated, rather) just like the January 6th rioters (or supposed insurrectionists) were treated.
Look:
Prison terms for all of them! #Insurectionist
— gymcoach (@mvgmom) July 23, 2024
I assume we will be charging them with insurrection just like the last group?
— Name (@IsLambie) July 23, 2024
Are these people going to be treated the same way as the January 6 individuals? Or are you gonna keep being lenient on Liberal communist?
— Barb (@BarbGEO47) July 24, 2024
Will they be in the DC central jail for 18 mos with the full weight of the DOJ charging them with felonies and insisting on jail time? Asking for a friend.
— TumblinMuffin (@sassyblondie1) July 24, 2024
Seems like this would be called an insurrection. I’m sure those folks who were jailed today won’t get out anytime soon, right? I mean we have folks still in prison from J6.
— ouiser boudreaux (@BoudreauxOuiser) July 24, 2024
Sadly, the veritable insurrectionists will most likely all have their charges dropped. That’s what almost always happens when left-wing extremists act out.
Yet the demonstration Tuesday was likely just a sliver of what’s to come on Wednesday, the day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to speak before Congress.
The National Desk (TND) reported that “thousands” of potential insurrectionists are expected to appear on Capitol Hill to protest the speech this Wednesday.
As a result, the Capitol Police has been making preparations.
“Since we were notified of the [Israeli] Prime Minister’s visit, we have been working around the clock with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that we are prepared,” a Capitol Police spokesperson told TND.
“We anticipate a large number of demonstrators to show up. We respect everyone’s First Amendment rights, however, all demonstrations must be done peacefully and legally,” they added.
It doesn’t help that Vice President Kamala Harris plans to snub Netanyahu’s speech or that the Congressional Progressive Staff Association is backing the upcoming protest:
From the inbox:
Congressional Staff for a Ceasefire Now will hold a demonstration during the Netanyahu address tomorrow.
Text 202-643-3813 for more information! pic.twitter.com/gPgVifHA5k
— Congressional Progressive Staff Association (@cpsaDC) July 23, 2024
This protest or demonstration will be attended by way more groups than just Jewish Voice for Peace.
“A coalition of groups is expected to participate in the protests, among them ANSWER (an acronym for ‘Act Now to Stop War and End Racism’), women-led peace and human rights group CodePink, Palestinian groups such as Palestinian American Community Center and Jewish groups including Jewish Voice for Peace,” Reuters has confirmed.
But it gets worse. Some congressional Democrats reportedly plan to directly disrupt Netanyahu’s speech,
House Speaker Mike Johnson has for his part made it clear no bull will be tolerated, either from visitors or members of Congress:
People who disrupt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech tomorrow will face arrest, according to a letter sent today by Speaker Mike Johnson. pic.twitter.com/SlCLfpTNdM
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) July 23, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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