Top Hill Democrats yet to comment on demonstration calling for Israel cease-fire that turned violent

Congressional Democratic leaders as of Thursday morning had yet to comment on the protest overnight outside of the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill in which participants called for a cease-fire in Israel's war on Hamas. 

The demonstrators were protesting in support of a ceasefire in Israel, which has been at war with Hamas since Oct. 7, when terrorists from the Gaza Strip invaded and killed about 1,200 people and took around 240 others captive.

"We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last night’s group was not peaceful," U.S. Capitol police said Thursday. "The crowd failed to obey our lawful orders to move back from the DNC, where Members of Congress were in the building."Organizers of the demonstration, which reportedly drew about 200 people, say participants were peaceful and that it was the police who were violent.

Six officers were treated for injuries ranging from "minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched," officials said.

One demonstrator, identified as Ruben Arthur Camacho, was arrested after he allegedly slammed an officer into a garage door and punched a female officer in the face, according to law enforcement.

Neither Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the DNC, Senate Democratic Caucus nor House Democratic Caucus responded to Just the News' request for comment on the demonstration, which occurred outside of the headquarters amid a meeting with members of Congress and candidates. 

One unnamed House Democrat who was at the DNC event told Axios the riot "scared me more than January 6," referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot over the 2020 election results.

The lawmaker said they were about to exit the building and return to the Capitol when law enforcement told them not to leave. "Someone sent out word for people to come [back] and police said it's not safe," the lawmaker also said. "Police were wearing gas masks ... this was not peaceful."

Among the Democrats who have commented are:

California Rep. Brad Sherman, posted on the social media website X that he was evacuated "after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building. Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely. Apparently, these pro-#Hamas demonstrators want #Republicans to prevail in the next Congressional election."

Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., said he was evacuated from the building as a result of the protest and thanked Capitol Police officers for their response.

"To the protestors: PLEASE don’t do something irresponsible," he posted on X. "You have the Constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest.  But blocking all entries to a building with multiple members of Congress in it, protected by Capitol Police officers who have lived through January 6 is putting you and other innocent people at risk."

Numerous House Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, La.; Rep. Darrell Issa, Calif.; Rep. Andy Biggs, Ariz.; and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Fla., condemned the incident. 

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