Clashes Erupt Outside Democratic National Committee Headquarters

Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict.

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 chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying "Cease Fire Now."

However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were "illegally and violently protesting" in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning.

"It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight," said Dani Noble, who came from Philadelphia for the demonstration. "It is absolutely shameful."

Noble said police, some of whom were wearing riot gear, started "pulling on folks that are disabled or have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground."

Lawmakers rushed into the Democratic headquarters as police arrived at the scene, according to a representative. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif, reported that some lawmakers were directed to the basement and later evacuated in police vehicles.

During the incident, Capitol Police treated six officers for minor injuries and arrested one protester for assaulting an officer. Videos shared on social media showed shoving and scuffles as police intervened.

The Metropolitan Police Department also responded to the disturbance. Congressional staffers were initially told that no one could enter or exit any House office buildings, but the entrances were later reopened by authorities.

Rep. Sherman accused the protesters of attempting to break into the Democratic headquarters in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, the protesters denied having such intentions.

The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, who have previously led demonstrations in Washington and other locations.

These clashes on Wednesday highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Last week, a significant number of House Democrats joined the majority of Republicans in voting to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib for her criticism of the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, faced backlash for not immediately condemning Hamas after an attack. However, she has since called out the militant group while also advocating for a cease-fire.

President Joe Biden has been facing mounting pressure from the left wing of the Democratic Party regarding his support for Israel's military operation. Despite these calls, Biden has resisted a cease-fire and instead proposed pauses in the fighting to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the potential release of hostages.

During a recent fundraiser in Minneapolis, Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg interrupted Biden's speech to express her dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party's response. She stated that Democrats are not listening to the people they claim to represent and warned that such actions will only lead to further discontent.

"We are not slowing down," she asserted. "The demand for a cease-fire will continue to grow, and our representatives need to take immediate action."

The protest took place as Israel considers a proposal that would involve Hamas releasing some hostages in exchange for a three-to-five-day cease-fire. During this period, aid would be allowed into Gaza. According to two officials familiar with the negotiations, the proposed deal would entail the release of an unspecified number of women and children by Hamas.

President Biden announced on Wednesday that the United States estimates there are "between 50 and 100 hostages" in Gaza. However, only four captives, including two Americans and two Israelis, have been released by Hamas so far. To ensure the safe transfer of the hostages back to Israel, short-term, targeted pauses in the fighting were implemented during these releases.

Furthermore, the United Nations Security Council voted in favor of a resolution on Wednesday, which calls for temporary halts in the Gaza conflict to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.