Pro-Palestine demonstrators arrested at Capitol Hill protest against Gaza violence

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Scores of pro-Palestine demonstrators were placed under arrest after taking part in an unauthorized demonstration in the rotunda of the Cannon House office building on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, thousands of people organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNo advocacy groups came to the National Mall to demand an immediate halt to the ongoing violence in Gaza in order to stop what they said is a “genocide” against the Palestinian people.

Demonstrators chanted "Ceasefire now" and "free, free Palestine" slogans.

Some donned shirts saying, "Jews Say Ceasefire Now," and some carried banners saying, "Not in my name," "End the siege of Gaza," "Zionism = Fascism"

Following the arrests at the Capitol, hundreds of other demonstrators shut down Independence Avenue in front of the Cannon building’s main entrance.

Capitol Police reported that among the arrests, three individuals have been charged with assaulting a police officer during processing.