Pro-ceasefire protestors overrun Capitol Hill demanding end to Israel-Hamas conflict, arrests made

Supporters of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas occupied Capitol Hill on Wednesday demanding an end to the ongoing conflict and urging the government against escalating the hostilities.

Carrying banners blaring the single word "ceasefire," the demonstrators gathered en masse and staged a sit in. Video footage of the event showed them collectively chanting, "not in our name."

The demonstration occurred in the Cannon Office Building and U.S. Capitol Police officers arrested a large group of protestors.

While officers ushered handcuffed demonstrators with zip ties into police buses, onlookers cheered for them and yelled, “ceasefire now.” 

They also chanted “free Palestine,” “let Gaza live” and “we are with you.”

HAPPENING NOW - Pro-Gaza protesters in Cannon House office building on Capitol Hill are holding 'ceasefire' banners and chanting 'not in our name.'pic.twitter.com/sHR2pFyTns

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 18, 2023

Protestors at the demonstration told Just the News that they are also advocating for an end to U.S. financial support for Israel. 

Protestors said the main organization behind the demonstration was Jewish Voice of Peace.

Critics of the demonstrators characterized the event as an "insurrection" in an apparent reference to an oft-used term for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

There’s an insurrection happening now on Capitol Hill https://t.co/hBMIcv3pqW

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 18, 2023

Israel has maintained a steady bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for an Oct. 7 Hamas incursion into its territory. The raid caught the Israel Defense Forces flat-footed and the terrorists seized 199 hostages while killing many civilians.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.