Causes.com
| 10.31.23
Protests Continue in D.C., Calling For Ceasefire in Gaza
Should the U.S. call for a ceasefire in Gaza?
Updated Oct. 31, 12:30 p.m. EST
- Protests are continuing in Washington, D.C., with demonstrators calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. On Tuesday, protesters interrupted U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during a Senate hearing, repeatedly yelling "Ceasefire now" when he attempted to speak.
- Secretary Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are testifying about the White House's national security funding request of $106 billion, which includes $14.3 billion to Israel's military efforts.
- Capitol police arrested 12 people for illegally protesting inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
What’s the story?
- At least 300 people have been arrested near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., during a protest against the Israel-Hamas war.
- The number is expected to rise as the full amount of arrests are processed and counted for, authorities said.
- Most were arrested inside the Cannon House Office, which occupies congressional staffers and does not allow protests. Three people were charged with assaulting an officer.
What were the protests calling for?
- The protestors are urging President Joe Biden and Congress to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
- The rally was held by two left-wing Jewish advocacy groups, Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now. Both are fighting against the State of Israel. Demonstrators wore shirts that read “Jews say ceasefire now” and “Not in our name.” The American Jewish organizations are heavily criticizing the government’s lack of action to help the Palestinian people.
- One protester at the Capitol said into a megaphone:
“Equality, Justice, and Freedom. The only way towards true safety…is to de-escalate, and address the root cause of this horrific violence.”
- Organizers sang in both Hebrew and English. Many expressed their anger at the blast at the hospital in Gaza, which killed hundreds.
Police actions
- The police closed streets around the Capitol on Wednesday in anticipation of the large protests.
- Capitol police forces said Wednesday afternoon:
“We warned the protesters to stop demonstrating and when they did not comply we began arresting them.”
- Police were seen restraining protesters with zip ties.
For more information…
Stay up to date on the war:
- The Latest Updates
- Israel-Gaza War: What People Are Saying
- Hate Crimes Grow Worldwide in Response to Israel-Gaza War
- Tension Grows Between Israel and Hezbollah
- Spread of Misinformation Online and Hatred in Israel-Gaza War
- Murder of Palestinian-American Boy Amid Global Hate Crimes
- A Guide to the Israel-Palestine Conflict
- How to Help Victims and Civilians in the Israel-Gaza War
Should the U.S. call for a ceasefire in Gaza?
-Jamie Epstein
(Photo credit: Jewish Voice for Peace)
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Sure, sure arrest the peaceful demonstrators chanting but nothing was done to 1-6 to protestors defacing the Capitol, injuring people and threatening to kill politicians till weeks, months, years later.
"...estimate of property damage due to the January 6 Capitol riot to $2.73 million, according to a Friday court filing in the case of a man who pleaded guilty to participating in the riot, which left windows broken, doors splintered and paintings stained with pepper spray and tear gas."
"The final cost of the Capitol riot could exceed $30 million, taking into account the cost of mental health counseling for riot victims and other more indirect costs incurred by rioters, Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, told Congress in February 2021."
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharysmith/2022/04/08/capitol-riot-costs-go-up-government-estimates-273-million-in-property-damage/amp/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12646451/amp/Pro-Palestinian-protesters-Capitol.html
I'm all for a world wide ceasefire if for no other reason than to find the results to all this war mongering. It has to end as soon as possible so people world wide can get back to enjoying life as it was orininally intended. Corporate profit margin be damned.
No stopping till Hamas eliminated!
If all the hostages are released. Built in assurances this will not happen again.
In the quest to destroy Hamas (and deservedly so) Israel is killing Palestinian citizens, mostly women & children who have nothing to do with Hamas. Hostages are still in the region, some are Americans. For the love of God, call a ceasefire!
Begin peace talks or find a strategic way to target Hamas & get rid of them once and for all (with little or no civilian casualties).
NO ceasefire!! Hamas must be destroyed! Hamas STARTED THIS! And they must pay the ultimate price. Israelies are fighting for their lives. Very few (if any really) accept Jewish people and Israel. Israel MUST survive no matter what happens.
No other Arab countries have helped these refugees in 8 decades. They have only used the refugees as pawns in their wars against Israel. Also, no two state solutions on ANY Israel soil! There are no "occupied " Arab land in Israel. All the land was won by defeating the enemy in former wars.
Withhold any aid to Israel until there is a ceasefire. Refuse any aid until they take steps for a two state government and an independent separate Jerusalem.
it is beyond time for us to continue supporting Israeli's practices which are not in line with US peace plans/treaties.
I am sure this would happen if all the funding of Israel by the USA would be withheld.
crimes of Genocide must end.
Did Israel call for a cease fire on 9/11?
Need a ceasefire!
I cry out for a ceasefire each day by contacting my congress representative and the POTUS. Children are being killed whether they are Jewish or Palistinean. This must be stopped and the people, now the warmongering governments must reach peaceful negotiations. May it happen soon!
Pure and simple Israel is commiting war crimes. Innocent citizens including children are being killed.
We demand a ceasefire in the conflict taking place in Gaza. The magnitude of the events are now classified as genocide, this has been a brutal display of excessive violence against an innocent civilian population.
Please do not support Israeli war crimes. History and voters will remember. Do not support these atrocities politically, financially or militarily.
A cease fire must happen, because the bombing is killing innocent civilians
there are no winners when it comes to war!!
The US should continue to push for a ceasefire, but there are conditions that must be met. Unfortunately, neither Hamas nor Israel will come to the table. Each seems to be willing to decimate civilians.
They have sent their message and shown their superior military power. It is time for empathy for those refugees who have no interest in politics but only want to live in peace.
I don't pretend to understand the situation in the Middle East but my observation over the decades has been that Israel goes above and beyond in fostering violence. Israel certainly has the right to exist, and I recognize the threats to that existence, but that does not justify cruelty.
It's not the United States decision. Would we be calling for a ceasefire if the United States were attacked in this manner? With this president, I'm not sure. Israel has every right to continue until they see Hamas as terminated.
Protect the people living in Gaza.
Israel has proved its "superiority" now let it prove its humanity! The Palestinians, who have been locked up in a limited area, have suffered enough at the hands of the Israelies. It is time to stop supplying Israel with weapons and start supplying the Palestinians in Gaza with food, water and medical supplies, NOW!
No.
The U.S. needs to call for Palestinian statehood NOW!!!
I have been pleased with President Biden's even handed response both calling for humane support for Palestinians while defending Israel's right to defend it's self against Hamas. But it is now past time to call for a cease fire as a refugee camp should not have been hit.
It's time for the lsraeli military to step back and assess the possibility of negotiations for the hostages being held in Gaza and humanitarian aide for the innocent Palestinians suffering in Gaza due to the Israeli missile strikes.