More than 300 people were arrested Wednesday by the U.S. Capitol Police, after a full day of "protests" by Hamas supporters in and around U.S. Capitol grounds, according to Townhall Managing Editor Spencer Brown, who reported that three people were arrested for assaulting officers. A full list of charges is to be announced.
USCP leadership has anticipated unrest at the Capitol since the latest outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel on October 7. Last Thursday night security fencing was erected around the Capitol ahead of Hamas' "Day of Jihad" on Friday the 13th, and on Tuesday House members/staff were notified of an "increased security posture due to potential demonstration activity" and "potential for civil disturbance on Wednesday."
The insurrectionists, who claim to be from a group called "Jewish Voices for Peace," stormed into the Cannon House Office Building and occupied the rotunda, chanting "CEASEFIRE." Taking a page out of the '60s community organizing playbook, they claim they're not part of a demonstration but rather conducting a "sit-in" and "won’t leave until Congress calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.” The group describes itself as "organizing toward Palestinian liberation."
When they refused to disperse, officers started arresting people, some of whom violently resisted.
Outside, activists vandalized various buildings, calling for a "free Palestine."
And then we had members of our government issuing threats or visibly supporting the insurrectionists, such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI):
It's not, it's not, it's not a threat, it isn't. They think we're joking. I mean, I think the White House and everyone thinks that we're just going sit back and let this just continue to happen.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted their support, as Sister Toldjah wrote.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) demanded that the USCP preserve all video footage and called for an investigation, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was uncharacteristically quiet about the breach into the office building.
Due to the violence, around 3 PM Eastern on Wednesday afternoon, only members/staff could utilize pedestrian entrances to House office buildings.
We will be watching to see how those arrested Wednesday are treated in comparison to those arrested on charges related to January 6 protests.
'Insurrection'? Here Is Some of the Alleged Violence
and Damage by Ceasefire Protestors at the Capitol
We reported earlier about the massive protest at the Capitol and in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) was outside whipping up the crowd. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) was also involved, expressing "solidarity" with the activists.
Some on X spoke about it being "insurrection-y." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is calling for the preservation of all the records, calling it an insurrection and asking how all these people were allowed into the building and through security.
So I wanted to lay out all the alleged lawbreaking and/or violence.
First, they blocked the road in and around the Capitol complex:
Then they assembled in the rotunda and said they would occupy it until there was a ceasefire. The Capitol Police noted they were not allowed to protest in the building.
So they arrested dozens of them for this.
Here is the rest of the above tweet:
She also asserted that the incident was an "insurrection" and is demanding that the Capitol Police hand over all "surveillance footage, photographic evidence, police reports, and arrest records" relating to the protests.
"The Committee on House Administration must investigate this incident and review all footage and evidence provided by Capitol Police, and the insurrectionists involved must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
More than 100 people were arrested according to CBS News.
The Capitol Police also announced that three had been arrested for assaulting police officers.
There was also damage the activists inflicted while they were in the building. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) noted they ripped down a sign he had up saying, "I stand with Israel."
They also vandalized buildings in the Capitol Complex.
It sure looks like there is support for what MTG is saying, and I'd like to know how these people got in when they were all wearing the same shirts and it was obvious they were protesters.
So can we expect any real charges and prosecution here? Or will they have the protection of the magical "D" for being on the left?