Pro-Palestinian “protesters” shut down the California State Capitol via a veritable insurrection this Wednesday, forcing lawmakers in the Assembly to adjourn early.
“Legislators filed out of the Assembly chamber as at least 250 demonstrators chanted, ‘Cease fire now,'” the Los Angeles Times reported.
“Filling the Capitol rotunda, protesters unfurled a banner stating ‘No U.S. Funding for Israel’s Genocide in Palestine’ and made paper flowers representing more than 22,000 Palestinians killed in the war that began after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 240 others hostage,” according to the paper.
The group shut down the Assembly. It has adjourned. pic.twitter.com/yngyvDYT5f
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) January 3, 2024
Even Democrat lawmakers were displeased.
“We hear them, we support them; however we have to make sure that the legislative business is done for the entire state of California,” Assemblyman Mike Gipson, a Democrat, said. “This just stopped what we needed to do.”
Kind of like how the Jan. 6th riot almost stopped and prevented Congress from doing what they “needed to do”?
Republicans were considerably less sanguine about the “protest.”
Case in point:
Familiar pattern across the country. Chant, intimidate, and shut down. Now stopping CA elected representatives from addressing crisis issues in our state. Their message: “Cease Fire Now” and ignore Hamas and their atrocities. This cannot be allowed to continue. https://t.co/yrAxxdNnG8
— James Gallagher (@J_GallagherAD3) January 3, 2024
According to CBS News, the “protest” began with hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists gathering inside the Capitol around 1:00 pm, placing a banner on the floor, and then clapping and chanting.
“As Jews, as elders, as US taxpayers, this is not OK,” activist Penny Rosenwasser reportedly said. “This is funding genocide.”
“There’s no way it can be safe there for Jews as long as there’s an occupation that’s suppressing another people. The only safety for Jews is in solidarity with all peoples,” she added.
“Every day that we were on break, people died,” activist Meital Yaniv added, He referenced the fact that lawmakers had just returned from a three-month break. “Today is the day that they’re back so today is the day we come back to demand a ceasefire.”
Jennifer Esteen, an Alameda County Board of Supervisors candidate, meanwhile urged California legislators to issue a ceasefire resolution on the basis that it’ll spread nationally if they do.
“These decisions that we can make here in California will absolutely change federal policy,” she said. “California leads the way. When the Legislature of the fourth-largest economy of the world pays attention and makes a statement, it will lead this country.”
Lawmakers have cleared the chamber as demonstrators hang banners and chant for a ceasefire in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/4iKNGuRQO1
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) January 3, 2024
In an official statement to CBS News, the “protesters” said they wanted to peacefully disrupt normal legislative proceedings.
“They claim the Israeli military is committing genocide in Gaza, and want elected officials to stop supporting the Israel-Hamas war, calling attention to the billions of dollars the U.S. sends to support Israel,” CBS News noted.
“The protesters say they are a coalition that includes rabbis and children of Holocaust survivors, Israeli Americans and teachers. The same group protested at Oakland’s federal building in mid-November,” according to CBS News.
Demonstrators are now singing.
“Do you have the courage to hear our call?”
Group has not yet been asked to disperse. pic.twitter.com/S6dNsRnvf4
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) January 3, 2024
Not surprisingly, zero of the loud, obnoxious left-wing “protesters” were arrested. Not until 4:00 pm was the Capitol finally cleared out, after which the “protesters” reportedly celebrated their supposed victory.
“The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network,” the Times noted. “Organizers said the demonstration included about 400 to 500 people, about half of whom are Jewish.”
After the “protest” concluded, Republican leader James Gallagher released an official statement blasting the “pro-Hamas radicals” for “shouting down government proceedings and bullying people into silence.”
“We must stand up to this extremism,” he said. “People have a right to protest, but they don’t have the right to prevent elected representatives from doing the people’s business.”
Critics on the social media platform X responded to the “protests” by wondering why the “protesters” weren’t treated like insurrectionists.
Look:
It must be an insurrection. Solitary confinement, not trial for 2+ years, no bail and 5 years for trespassing.
— James Paaso (@JamesPaaso) January 3, 2024
It should be legal, or at worst maybe disorderly conduct with a fine. JUST LIKE JANUARY 6TH. Right?
— Mort & Rupert in Arizona (@WitchyWagon) January 4, 2024
Does it matter if it’s legal? We seem to have a two-tier justice system… one for “them” and the other for the rest of us.
— Patti Petersen (@pattipetey22) January 4, 2024
This is way worse than January 6. They’re completely occupying the chamber.
And on January 6, 2021, FBI was on the ground and I doubt the FBI’s on the ground there for any good reason.— CKGMJG (@CKGMJG777) January 3, 2024
Even stone cold leftist liberals should think about how there are elderly women doing real jail time for much, much less than this because they happened to walk into the capitol on Jan 6th
— Silver Suntan (@Silver_Suntan) January 3, 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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