Pro-Hamas protesters swarmed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday in a scene eerily similar to the incursion of January 6, 2021. Dozens of protesters shouting, carrying flags and banners made their way past Capitol police and occupied the rotunda area of the building.
The excursionists were taken away by police in handcuffs.
“Leftist protesters stormed the U.S. capitol to demand that the American government pressure Israel to stop fighting Hamas,” Andy Ngo said today after thousands marched on the nation’s capital.
In stark contrast to her denouncement of protesters on January 6, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley cheered on the incursionists.
“Solidarity with those mobilizing and demanding a #CeasefireNOW to save lives,” she Tweeted.
“A group of protesters are demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside Congressional Buildings.” the U.S. Capitol Police said.
Several hundred pro-Gaza demonstrators descended on the U.S. Capitol today, storming House office buildings and barricading the Capitol’s Independence Ave entrance. Law enforcement agencies responded to the situation, resulting in the arrest of upwards of 50 individuals participating in the protest.
The protesters, advocating for the Gaza Strip, were met with staff from inside the House office buildings displaying Israeli flags from the windows, a move seen by some as an act of mockery towards the demonstrators. Israel and Gaza have been at the center of complex and fraught geopolitical tensions for years.