- The rally was organized by two Jewish anti-Zionist groups
- Protesters vow to continue demonstrations demanding immediate ceasefire.
Calling for an end to the deadly war on Gaza, hundreds of protesters were arrested Wednesday after they entered a congressional building in Washington to demand a ceasefire in the Israeli war on the besieged strip.
The rally was organized by two Jewish anti-Zionist groups, Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now.
“The root of violence is oppression, and we’re here to say no in our names,” Jewish Voice for Peace posted on X.
“We have the power to stop the ongoing atrocities against Palestinians. We refuse to standby as the Israeli government commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
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For 75 years, the Israeli government has illegally occupied Palestinian land and ethnically cleansed their communities.
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) October 18, 2023
Now, Gaza is facing genocide with full support from the U.S. and we’re here as Jews to refuse complicity and say never again, for anyone. pic.twitter.com/i7kpr4L0ek
Gathering Wednesday afternoon, about 400 of the groups’ members and others assembled inside the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building, led by about 25 rabbis reading testimonials from Palestinians in Gaza and reciting prayers.
The group, Jewish Voice for Peace, said 500 were arrested during the protest.
Today, 500 Jews were arrested and 10k took to the streets to support and to demand a ceasefire and an end to Palestinian genocide.
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) October 18, 2023
We shut down congress to draw mass attention to the U.S. complicity in Israel’s ongoing oppression of Palestinians. But our work isn’t done. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/1aQf15Xx0D
The demonstration at the Capitol came just two days after a rally near the White House on Monday that the Jewish Voice for Peace executive director, Stefanie Fox, estimated drew at least 5,000 people.
Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who have been calling on Biden to work toward an immediate ceasefire, spoke to the crowd of demonstrators before they entered the Capitol Building, Yahoo News reported.
“I wish all the Palestinian people would see this. I wish they could see that not all of America want them to die. That they are not disposable, that they have a right to live,” said Tlaib, the only current Palestinian-American member of Congress.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) posted online in support of the protestors. “Solidarity with those mobilizing and demanding a #CeasefireNOW to save lives,” she said on X.
Solidarity with those mobilizing and demanding a #CeasefireNOW to save lives. pic.twitter.com/hM7nkT7FWQ
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) October 18, 2023
More than 3,300 Palestinian civilians have been killed and 12,000 wounded by Israel’s indiscriminate bombing on Gaza, Palestinian authorities said as of Thursday morning.
Children and senior citizens accounted for almost 60 percent of casualties.