U.S. Rep. Sean Casten was among members of Congress evacuated Wednesday from the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington during a protest calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Protesters blocked entrances and exits from the building, according to a post on X from Casten, and Capitol police escorted members of Congress to safety.
“I am grateful for the USCP’s professionalism and that all were safely evacuated,” Casten said of the Capitol police. “I’m also keenly aware that it could have been much worse. Americans have a right to assemble and protest.”
I was just evacuated from the @dccc office after the building was surrounded by protestors who had blocked all modes of ingress and egress. Grateful to Capitol Police for getting all members and staff out safely. To the protestors: PLEASE don’t do something irresponsible /1
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) November 16, 2023
Casten said some Capitol police officers lived through the Jan. 6, 2021, violent insurrection by supporters of former President Donald Trump, and urged protesters to stay peaceful and avoid putting anyone in harm’s way.
The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, that have spearheaded other demonstrations in Washington and elsewhere.
At Wednesday’s protest, nearly 150 protesters “illegally and violently” rallied in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, police said.
Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by the demonstrators outside.
Six officers were treated for minor injuries and one protester was arrested for assaulting an officer, Capitol Police said. Metropolitan Police Department officers also responded.
The same groups were involved in a protest Monday in which demonstrators called for a ceasefire and blocked escalators to the Israeli consulate above the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago.
Calls for a ceasefire and criticism of Israeli forces have intensified, weeks after the Israel-Hamas war started Oct. 7.
Contributing: Associated Press
