Hundreds of ‘violent’ anti-Israel protesters clash with Capitol cops outside DNC headquarters
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Hundreds of “violent” anti-Israel protesters clashed with US Capitol Police Wednesday evening during a rally outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC — prompting the evacuation of politicians inside.
Video shows dozens of officers in riot gear desperately pushing back the unruly protesters as they charged toward the Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE building.
The rioters were also seen trying to grab hold of metal barricades as the officers rushed in to make arrests.
About 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” outside the office, Capitol Police wrote on X.
Video taken moments before the clash showed the protesters calmly standing at the steps of the DNC with their arms linked together singing “Which side are you on?”
Many protesters wore black shirts that read “Cease Fire Now.”
Rep. Brad Sherman (R-Calif.) said he was one of the lawmakers ushered out of the building as the protest descended into chaos.
“Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building. Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely,” he wrote on X.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said she had her three-month-old baby inside the Capitol officers when the buildings went into lockdown.
“Imagine being that unhinged. Nut jobs,” Luna said.
Officials sent an alert to congressional staffers telling them no one would be permitted to enter or exit any House office buildings.
Police were making arrests, but didn’t say how many people were taken into custody.
The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers were also responding to the disturbance.
The clash comes just one day after nearly 300,000 people gathered at the National Mall in DC to defend the Israeli war against Hamas.
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