Summary
Here is a wrap-up of the day’s key events:
Capitol police is facing criticism from activists after clashing with dozens of demonstators outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC on Wednesday evening. The violence broke out during a demonstration for a ceasefire in Gaza where Israeli forces have killed over 11,000 Palestinians in the last five weeks.
Organizers of last night’s ceasefire demonstrations has released a statement on the “violent police response,” saying that over 90 no-nviolent protesters were injured by Capitol police. “Protestors were choked and violently handled by multiple office[r]s at once, thrown against the wall, then grabbed and picked up and thrown down the front stairs. At least two protestors’ glasses were smashed by the police. Dozen of people were kicked, kneed and punched in the face by police officers,” organizers said.
Pictures and videos posted online of yesterday’s ceasefire protests showed Capitol police scattering candles, which were originally laid out to mourn the 11,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes. “This is a reflection of what our gov thinks of Palestinians. 11,000 candles representing the Palestinian lives murdered by Israel with US funding. The cops just stepped on them,” said Sumaya Awad, a member of New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America.
American Muslim writer and civil rights scholar Omar Suleiman has joined numerous activists in condemning Capitol police officers over their actions during last night’s ceasefire demonstrations. Suleiman tweeted: “Unbelievable. Capitol police throwing Jewish protestors shouting not in our name and calling for a ceasefire down the steps of the Democratic National Headquarters. Good luck in 2024 y’all.”
The Capitol police said in a statement on Thursday that its officers ‘pulled people off the DNC building, pushed them back and cleared them from the area’ during last night’s ceasefire demonstrations. In its statement, the Capitol police made no mention of pepper-spraying protestors, despite images posted online that appeared to show them doing so.
In language similar to that of the Capitol police’s statement, Democratic leadership released a statement on last night’s ceasefire demonstrations. The statement said, “Some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration.”
The Jewish peace advocacy organization If Not Now has issued a list of FAQs following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations, saying, “Our protest was nonviolent. Capitol police brutally attacked us with no warning.” In its series of FAQs, the organization said that there was a police liaison “who asked to speak with officers but the police refused to speak with them.”
Meanwhile, ceasefire protesters shut down the Bay Bridge in San Francisco during morning rush hour on Thursday. Images on the news wires show scores of people holding banners calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and protesting against military aid for Israel. All westbound lanes were shut at the time.
That’s it from me, Maya Yang, as we wrap the blog for today. Thank you for following along.
Alec Karakatsanis, founder of the nonprofit organization Civil Rights Corps, has also condemned Capitol police over their response to last night’s ceasefire demonstrations.
In a post on X, Karakatsanis wrote:
“After the attack by Capitol Police last night on Jewish progressives singing songs and locking arms for ceasefire, recall how Democrats forced through budget increases for one of the most incompetent and unaccountable institutions in federal bureaucracy.”
After the attack by Capitol Police last night on Jewish progressives singing songs and locking arms for ceasefire, recall how Democrats forced through budget increases for one of the most incompetent and unaccountable institutions in federal bureaucracy: https://t.co/zpQWuv6nVm
— Alec Karakatsanis (@equalityAlec) November 16, 2023
Organizers on ceasefire demonstrations: 'A nonviolent act of civil disobedience'
The Jewish peace advocacy organization If Not Now has issued a list of FAQs following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations, saying, “Our protest was nonviolent. Capitol police brutally attacked us with no warning.”
In its series of FAQs, the organization said that there was a police liaison “who asked to speak with officers but the police refused to speak with them.”
“Instead, police arrived on the scene and immediately ran at protestors, shoving many down the stairs,” the organization said, calling the police response “brutal and reckless.”
It added that Capitol police “did not give any warnings or requests to disperse.”
Police responded to our peaceful protest with overwhelming violence — with no warning or requests to disperse.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
They immediately rushed at protesters, threw us down the steps, and pepper sprayed us. They refused to speak with police liaisons.
It was brutal and reckless. pic.twitter.com/zzY0d3mJTy
The organization also said that approximately 90 protestors were injured last night.
Over 90 protesters were injured by violent attacks from the police.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
Dragged by the hair. Pepper sprayed in the face. Thrown down the stairs. Choked and thrown into a wall. Hit by bicycles.
This was @CapitolPolice’s immediate response to a nonviolent protest. pic.twitter.com/1lyItlMDvz
It also called the demonstrations a “nonviolent act of civil disobedience”and said that “at no point did anyone trying to enter the building” of the Democratic National Committee.
“The purpose of the protest was to speak peacefully to members of Congress as they exited the building and share that 80% of Democrats – their base – want to see a ceasefire,” it said.
The purpose of our protest was to call on members of Congress to support a ceasefire — something that 80% of Democrats agree with.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
It was a nonviolent act of civil disobedience. Police responded with extreme violence. pic.twitter.com/oy50ctDMz4
Updated
Here are some images coming through the newswires of ceasefire protestors on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge:
Protestors on the San Francisco Bay Bridge have thrown their car keys into the bay and chained themselves together and to the bridge in calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to US military aid to Israel, according to local media outets.
KRON4 reports:
All lanes remain blocked on the Bay Bridge after protesters shut down all lanes of westbound Interstate 80 traffic on the bridge during the Thursday morning commute. The protesters stopped their cars on the bridge, east of Treasure Island Road, and threw their keys into the Bay before chaining themselves together and to the bridge, according to California Highway Patrol.
Around 50 to 60 protesters on the bridge were arrested and processed by responding CHP officers before being led to awaiting buses, according to KRON4’s Will Tran. Approximately 250 officers are on scene, according to CHP.
As of 10 a.m., a far-right lane of westbound traffic reopened on the Bay Bridge for motorists already on the bridge. Drivers who were backed up before the toll plaza were being guided by CHP to turn around back into Oakland. There is no estimated time for when all lanes will reopen across the Bay Bridge.
Democratic leadership responds to ceasefire demonstrations
In language similar to that of the Capitol police’s statement from earlier today, Democratic leadership has released a statement on last night’s ceasefire demonstrations – with zero mention of the words “ceasefire,” “Israel” or the 11,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes who demonstrators were mourning last night.
The statement, released by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic whip Katherine Clark, Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar and DCCC chair Suzan DelBene, said:
Last night, Members of the House Democratic Caucus, hardworking staffers and dozens of guests from throughout the country were participating in an event inside the Democratic National Committee building when some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration.
We are thankful for the service and professionalism of the U.S. Capitol Police officers who worked to ensure that Members, staff and visitors were able to safely exit. We strongly support the First Amendment right to freedom of expression and encourage anyone exercising that right to do so peacefully.
San Francisco Bay Bridge shut by ceasefire protesters
Protesters shut down the Bay Bridge in San Francisco during morning rush hour. Images on the news wires show scores of people holding banners calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and protesting against military aid for Israel.
All westbound lanes were shut at the time.
The Bay Bridge is SHUT DOWN
— Ariel Koren (@ariel_koko) November 16, 2023
Biden will not get away with genocide, Biden will not get away with staying in San Francisco without EVERYONE knowing he is supporting the slaughter in Gaza
No more genocide, ceasefire NOW pic.twitter.com/iQWWevwclA
Local media reported around 50 to 60 protesters were arrested before being led to buses. There were 250 officers on the scene, reports said.
Updated
Here are more images coming through the newswires of last night’s ceasefire demonstrations outside the Democratic National Committee building:
Updated
Activists condemn Capitol police after clashes with protesters at ceasefire demonstrations
American Muslim writer and civil rights scholar Omar Suleiman has joined numerous activists in condemning Capitol police officers over their actions during last night’s ceasefire demonstrations.
In a post on X, Suleiman said:
“Unbelievable. Capitol police throwing Jewish protestors shouting not in our name and calling for a ceasefire down the steps of the Democratic National Headquarters. Good luck in 2024 y’all.”
Unbelievable. Capitol police throwing Jewish protestors shouting not in our name and calling for a ceasefire down the steps of the Democratic National Headquarters.
— Dr. Omar Suleiman (@omarsuleiman504) November 16, 2023
Good luck in 2024 y’all pic.twitter.com/LKKbGZA144
Updated
The Jewish peace advocacy organization If Not Now has pushed back against California’s Democratic representative Brad Sherman who said that yesterday’s demonstrators “grew violent” and pepper sprayed Capitol police.
The organization tweeted a video that showed protestors in locked arms singing, “Which side are you on.” At one point, the video showed Capitol police pulling and shoving protestors outside the DNC building.
Capitol police then appears to throw a protestor down the stairs. Someone behind the camera yelled, “Oh shit! Someone just got thrown. People getting thrown down the stairs!”
In its caption, If Not Now addressed Sherman’s comments, saying:
“This is dangerous & reckless disinformation, Congressman. We were peacefully linking arms, singing, and calling for a ceasefire. As you can see with your own eyes in this video. Then Capitol Police rushed in, threw us down the stairs, and pepper sprayed us. Retract this now.”
This is dangerous & reckless disinformation, Congressman.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
We were peacefully linking arms, singing, and calling for a ceasefire.
As you can see with your own eyes in this video.
Then Capitol Police rushed in, threw us down the stairs, and pepper sprayed us.
Retract this now. https://t.co/FqOc8ZfCd4 pic.twitter.com/Xerx1cSDXy
A Capitol police officer was captured on video snatching a Palestinian flag out of the hands of a protester who was waving the flag and chanting “Ceasefire now!” during last night’s ceasefire demonstrations.
Video posted online showed the officer reaching for the flag as an onlooker shouted, “Hey hey hey! What the fuck?” Other Capitol police officers standing behind their bikes appeared to then grab the flag and throw it aside.
Wow. DC and Capitol police violently grabbing a Palestinian flag out of a demonstrator's hand chanting "ceasefire now" and throwing the flag on the ground.
— Yasmine Taeb (@YasmineTaeb) November 16, 2023
Quite the night for the police as they pepper sprayed and assaulted demonstrators, and threw an activist down the stairs. https://t.co/cv3bRw16EP
Updated
The Capitol police said in a statement on Thursday that its officers ‘pulled people off the DNC building, pushed them back and cleared them from the area’ during last night’s ceasefire demonstrations – using language vastly different from the demonstration’s organizers who said protestors were choked, thrown against walls and pepper sprayed.
In its statement, the Capitol police made no mention of pepper-spraying protestors, despite images posted online that appeared to show them doing so.
Instead, the statement said:
“When the group moved dumpsters in front of the exits, pepper sprayed our officers and attempted to pick up the bike rack, our teams quickly introduced consequences – pulling people off the building, pushing them back, and clearing them from the area, so we could safely evacuate the Members and staff.
Six officers were treated for injuries, from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched.”
This is simply not true. I took this photo and can confirm the only pepper spray was from the police. pic.twitter.com/1eC5KjFVpR
— Ryan Harvey (@ryanharveysongs) November 16, 2023
In a video posted to Youtube, a Capitol police officer can be seen pepper-spraying a protestor in the face as she held onto another protestor.
Updated
Another video posted online appeared to show Capitol police officers rolling their bikes over candles that were laid out to mourn the 11,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes.
In a caption accompanying the video, Jewish Voice for Peace Action said:
“Last night, in DC Jews and allies carried out a vigil and a nonviolent, moral act of civil disobedience to call on Democrats to support a ceasefire to save Palestinian and Israeli lives. Within moments, police brutally assaulted peaceful protestors, injuring over 90.”
Last night, in D.C. Jews and allies carried out a vigil and a nonviolent, moral act of civil disobedience to call on Democrats to support a ceasefire to save Palestinian and Israeli lives. Within moments, police brutally assaulted peaceful protesters, injuring over 90. pic.twitter.com/oLnglHS7wb
— Jewish Voice for Peace Action (@JvpAction) November 16, 2023
Following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations, Eva Borgwardt, the national spokesperson of the Jewish peace advocacy organication If Not Now, said:
“Every hour of this horrific bombardment, more Palestinians are killed. Every hour, the lives of the hostages hang in the balance. Every hour increases the risk of a broader regional war, endangering the lives of millions of people across the entire region.
We the base of the Democratic party are here to say if you care about Palestinians, if you care about Israelis, if you care about Jews, if you care about humanity, we need you to call for a ceasefire, a hostage exchange, a deescalation, and to chart a path toward freedom and safety for all. Instead of heeding our call for a ceasefire, police violently attacked nonviolent protesters with pepper spray.”
Video shows Capitol police kicking candles laid out for Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes
Pictures and videos posted online of yesterday’s ceasefire protests showed Capitol police scattering candles, which were originally laid out to mourn the 11,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes.
“This is a reflection of what our gov thinks of Palestinians. 11,000 candles representing the Palestinian lives murdered by Israel with US funding. The cops just stepped on them,” said Sumaya Awad, a member of New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America.
This is a reflection of what our gov thinks of Palestinians.
— Sumaya Awad (@sumayaawad) November 16, 2023
11,000 candles representing the Palestinian lives murdered by Israel with US funding. The cops just stepped on them. pic.twitter.com/Kv6nE7pclL
At one point, video showed a Capitol police officer appearing to spit on the candles after kicking them around.
Police are trampling the candles we brought to honor the 11,200+ Palestinians that have been killed since October 7th pic.twitter.com/gSLgJZp6od
— rebeccah (@Reb_Hoffmann) November 16, 2023
Updated
Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, has joined other activists in condemning Democrats including Joe Biden, following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations.
“With every passing minute that president Biden and the Democratic party refuse to heed the calls of their voters and demand a ceasefire, more Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by Israeli airstrikes and siege. In their homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques, and by starvation, dehydration and disease,” she said.
Tonight, hundreds of peaceful anti-war activists came to the DNC to call for an end to bombs and violence in order to save Palestinian and Israeli lives. They were met with brutal assaults by the police. The Democrats need to decide: will they stand on the side of peace and justice, or will they continue to support war and genocide?” she added.
“Calling for a ceasefire is not a radical or fringe demand,” said Renée Paradis of the Democratic Socialists of America following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations.
She added:
“A supermajority of Americans and an even bigger majority of Democrats want a Ceasefire NOW. It’s the Democratic party that’s out of step with their own base, in favor of the politics of their big donors, providing full support for Israel’s genocidal actions.
Tonight, police lied about the protest being violent, even as they roughed up protestors, sprayed tear gas on the crowd, and literally trampled vigil candles beneath their feet. We know lasting peace can only be achieved through a just end to the occupation, and call upon the federal government–who could stop the war tomorrow with a single phone call–to stop sending military aid to Israel.”
Updated
Here are some images coming through the newswires of last night’s ceasefire demonstrations outside the Democratic National Committee’s building:
Updated
Sumaya Awad, a member of New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America, condemned the Democratic party following last night’s ceasefire demonstrations, saying:
“The Democratic party just showed exactly how it feels about its voters… The Israeli military just stormed a hospital in Gaza, airstrikes have killed over 4,500 children, and water is running out. Over 80% of Democratic voters are demanding a ceasefire and brought that message of peace to party leadership, who responded by unleashing an incredibly violent police attack on them.”
Updated
Jewish Voice for Peace Action has also released a separate statement on last night’s ceasefire demonstrations, saying:
“The activists were joined by faith leaders in calling for a ceasefire to end the Israeli military’s massacre of Palestinians, to facilitate a hostage exchange, and to ensure that humanitarian and medical aid can reach Palestinians in besieged Gaza.
As hundreds of anti-war protestors assembled with 11,000 candles and signs calling for a ceasefire, DC police, many in riot gear, rushed the candlelight vigil and attacked protestors blocking some of the entrances to the doors of the DCCC.
According to Jeff Ordower, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, the DC police rushed the protestors without warning. ‘We’ve been doing actions in DC for decades, and have never had police refuse to talk to a police liaison.’”
Updated
Organizers: 'Over 90 non-violent protesters injured by police'
Organizers of last night’s ceasefire demonstrations has released a statement on the “violent police response”, saying that over 90 no-nviolent protesters were injured by Capitol police.
In a joint statement released by If Not Now, Jewish Voice for Peace Action and Democratic Socialists of America, the groups said:
On Wednesday evening, a coalition of Jewish and allied protesters non-violently blocked one entrance to the DNC headquarters. Police violently attacked them, causing over 90 injuries, including being pepper sprayed, minor cuts and dragged by the hair …
Protesters were choked and violently handled by multiple office[r]s at once, thrown against the wall, then grabbed and picked up and thrown down the front stairs. At least two protestors’ glasses were smashed by the police. Dozen of people were kicked, kneed and punched in the face by police officers. People were shoved down the stairs and tackled to the pavement by cops running at full speed.”
Our statement on the violent police response to our nonviolent protest with @JvpAction & @DemSocialists at @TheDemocrats HQ.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023
Police injured 90+ protesters, with injuries ranging from being pepper sprayed, dragged by the hair, choked, thrown down stairs, and punched in the face. pic.twitter.com/V9FwdAnQhw
Updated
Capitol police clash with protesters outside DNC headquarters
Good morning,
Capitol police clashed with dozens of demonstators outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC on Wednesday evening during a demonstration for a ceasefire in Gaza where Israeli forces have killed over 11,000 Palestinians in the last five weeks.
Demonstrators linked arms in front of the DNC building where several Democratic representatives including House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries were inside for a campaign reception.
“Which side are you on?” yelled some demonstrators while others wore black shirts with the words “Cease Fire Now.” Protestors said they wanted to block the building’s entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil, the Associated Press reports.
However, clashes quickly erupted as police used pepper spray and fired chemical irritants into the crowd. One protestor told the Associated Press that police started “pulling on folks that are disabled or have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground.”
Meanwhile, capitol police said that approximately 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” and that one person was arrested “for assault on an officer.”
The demonstration comes as Joe Biden maintained his refusal to call for a ceasefire. Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Wednesday night, Biden said, “Hamas has already said publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again…so the idea that they’re going to just stop and not do anything is not realistic.”
Biden’s comments come as the UN security council backed a resolution on Wednesday night calling for “urgent extended humanitarian pauses” in Gaza.
Here are other developments in US politics:
The Senate has passed a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown.
The House ethics committee will not recommend punishment for New York’s Republican representative George Santos who is accused of fraud.
Updated
