The protest, led by Linda Sarsour, a well-known far-left activist, called for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This event mirrors a similar protest held by anti-Israel factions in October.
Approximately 60 anti-Israel demonstrators were arrested inside the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. The group, under the leadership of the contentious activist Linda Sarsour, held an unauthorized rally in the historic venue. The protesters chanted, “Not another nickel! Not another dime! No more money for Israel’s crimes!” while holding signs that read, “Stop Arming Israel.”
Holding demonstrations inside the Capitol is against the law, but the enforcement of this prohibition by the DC US Attorney’s Office is inconsistent, with arrests often made after the fact.
In a statement, the Capitol Police said, “We were aware of a group’s potential plan to take a tour of the US Capitol Building and then start a protest. It is against the law to demonstrate inside the Congressional Buildings, so we brought in additional officers to be prepared for the moment the group would break the law. The group was screened when they entered the building. Once they broke the law, roughly 60 people were immediately arrested for [violating] D.C. Code § 22–1307 — Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding.”
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The protesters managed to bring their signs into the Capitol Rotunda, a feat that has left many puzzled. One observer noted, “How they got the signs into the Capitol Rotunda while on public tours is beyond me. I’ve been stopped carrying posters through the Rotunda multiple times and had to show staff ID just to bring charts to the House floor.”
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This recent demonstration, combined with the 300 protesters arrested at the Capitol in mid-October, suggests that approximately 360 individuals could potentially face significant jail time and solitary confinement. The actual number could be higher, as the FBI is expected to track down and apprehend those who were not initially arrested.
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However, it is important to note that this protest, like the one on January 6, was not an actual insurrection. Yet, the two events are being treated differently. This was evident when Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser failed to call for the removal of protesters during the city's holiday celebrations.
Despite the arrest of hundreds of protesters, it would be surprising if any of them receive punishment comparable to those who were arrested for peacefully walking around the Capitol building in 2021.
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