Over a dozen pro-Palestine demonstrators were arrested at the Russell Senate Office Building on Thursday afternoon.
The pro-Palestine demonstrators were heard repeatedly chanting, “We call for a permanent cease-fire,” in the rotunda of the government building, which is connected to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
In one video, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was seen attempting to go on-air for a TV news interview as protesters loudly chanted below him in the rotunda.
“Will that disrupt the audio,” the Republican is heard asking the reporter.
“Yeah, we can’t hear you,” the reporter replied, as protesters are heard chanting, “We call for dignity, not for inhumanity,” and “Food not bombs.”
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Approximately 13 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating inside the Russell Senate Office Building on Thursday in Washington, D.C. (Martin Heina)
“We are Christians for cease-fire,” they yelled.
According to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), approximately 13 demonstrators were arrested.
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Authorities said that they first warned the protesters, who were seen waving signs that read, “Ceasefire Now,” that they would be arrested if they did not stop demonstrating.
A majority of the protesters began filing out, but around 13 stayed behind and were promptly arrested by USCP.
A protester is arrested by USCP inside the Russell Senate Office Building on Thursday. (Martin Heina)
Photos from the scene captured one of the protesters being ushered out of the rotunda by a USCP officer.
Officers used zipties to restrain the protesters.
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The USCP said that the arrested protesters were charged with D.C. Code § 22–1307 – Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding.
The protests highlight the growing animosity President Biden faces within his own party from demonstrators calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Protesters inside the rotunda at The Russell Senate Office Building chanted and held pro-Palestinian signs and chanted for a cease-fire in Gaza on Thursday. (Martin Heina)
Recent Fox News polling showed that support for Palestinians among Democrats has increased 17 points since October.
That shift among Democrats leads to a starker party divide now (43% siding with Israelis vs. 42% siding with Palestinians) than in October (59% vs. 25%).
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Fox News has reached out to Rubio’s office for comment.
Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
