2023 Democratic National Committee protests
| 2023 Democratic National Convention protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 15 November 2023 (6:40 pm to 10 pm) | ||
| Location | (N 38° 53' 2.6484", W 77° 0' 30.942") | ||
| Caused by | 2023 Israel–Hamas war | ||
| Goals |
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| Resulted in | |||
| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
Unknown | |||
| Number | |||
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| Casualties and losses | |||
The 2023 Democratic National Convention protests was a Pro-Palestine protest turned violent.[9] The protest organizers, the Jewish Voice for Peace and the IfNotNow movement as well as other Pro-Palestinian protesters arrived outside the DNC building on 430 South Capitol St. SE at 6:40 pm after a candlelight vigil at 3rd Street and Maryland Avenue SW.[5] The protest forced Capitol Police to shut down several roads in the area as officers tried to deal with the protesters.[10]
Start of the protests
The protests started on 15 November 2023 at around 6:40pm, the protesters went to the DNC building on 430 South Capitol St. SE and blocked the entrances to the DNC while Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Suzan DelBene, the chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell were inside the building for a campaign reception.[11][12] The protesters were chanting Pro-Palesinian slogans and wore black shirts that read "Cease Fire Now".The protestors called for a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to American military support to Israel, and the establishment of a "Free Palestinian State".
Protests turn violent
As the situation developed, Capitol Police arrived on scene and shut down multiple roads in order to try and contain the situation. At 8:38 pm ET they said that: "Right now our officers are working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE. Officers are making arrests.[13] All Members have been evacuated from the area. Please stay away from the area". Videos on social media showed protesters trying to grab hold of metal barricades as the officers moved in to make arrests.[1] IfNotNow posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that "police are being extremely violent." They also posted: "We are linking arms, threatening no one, and begging our politicians to support an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza. Begging, peacefully, for a ceasefire". Capitol Police used pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Fist fights were also seen on videos posted to social media.[14]According to Capitol Police, an officer witnessed the a protester "slam another officer into a garage door and then punched the female officer in the face."[6] By 10 pm, the Capitol Police said that all house buildings had returned to normal operations.[2]
Aftermath
On 16 November 2023 IfNotNow claimed on their X account that 90 protesters were injured and posted a video from the protests.[4] The Washington Post reported that at least 100 protesters had suffered injuries after being pepper-sprayed and pushed by police.[5] At least 1 protester was arrested and other 1 protester, a 24 year old from New York was charged with assault on an officer.[6] IfNotNow claimed that their actions were peaceful and the Capitol Police were the ones who were violent. [15]The protests also showed a clear divide within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas war and a clear divide within American President Joe Biden's voter base[16]
References
- ^ a b "Capitol officers injured in clash with group protesting 'violently' outside DNC". ABC7 Los Angeles. November 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Johnson, Ted (November 16, 2023). "Pro-Palestinian Protesters Clash With Police Outside DNC Headquarters, Rep. Brad Sherman Says He Was Among Those Evacuated".
- ^ https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1724966181742760336
- ^ a b c https://twitter.com/IfNotNowOrg/status/1725294910436168164
- ^ a b c https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/16/dnc-protests-hq-washington-dc-ceasefire/
- ^ a b c d Trujillo, Briana; Lynch, Tom (November 16, 2023). "1 arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters clash with Capitol Police outside DNC headquarters". Associated Press – via NBC Washington.
- ^ "Six police officers injured at anti-Israel rally near DNC | Fox News Video". Fox News. November 16, 2023.
- ^ Jaeger, Jarryd. "Violent protests outside Washington DNC headquarters see 6 officers injured, 1 agitator arrested". The Post Millennial.
- ^ "Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during a demonstration over the Israel-Hamas war". AP News. November 16, 2023.
- ^ "Protest Turns Violent Outside DNC Headquarters In DC (DEVELOPING)". Arlington Daily Voice. November 15, 2023.
- ^ Lee, JiMin (November 16, 2023). "Top House Democrats evacuated from DNC headquarters as police clash with protesters calling for Gaza ceasefire | CNN Politics". CNN.
- ^ "Police and protesters clash outside Democratic Party HQ during demonstration against war in Gaza". PBS NewsHour. November 16, 2023.
- ^ https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1724965063625236706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1724965063625236706%7Ctwgr%5E00d7f72f43c90a5136ba31d94c725f15a6545958%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdailyvoice.com%2Fvirginia%2Farlington%2Fprotest-turns-violent-outside-dnc-headquarters-in-dc-developing%2F
- ^ "Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Capitol Police clash near DNC headquarters" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "US Capitol police clash with protesters demanding Gaza ceasefire". November 16, 2023 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "The protests outside DNC headquarters signal the divides in Biden's base over Israel-Hamas war | CityNews Toronto". Associated Press – via toronto.citynews.ca.