Protesters call for a cease-fire in Gaza

More than 300 people are arrested at Capitol

Protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza shut down parts of Independence Avenue and demonstrated for several hours in the Cannon House Office Building rotunda Wednesday.

More than 300 people were arrested, a Capitol Police spokesperson said around 6:30 p.m. EDT, adding that the number could rise.

The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, and began at noon on the National Mall before migrating to the Capitol complex.

Rebecca Vilkomerson, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, estimated roughly 450 protesters entered Cannon.

Just after 3 p.m. Wednesday, the House sergeant-at-arms restricted access to House office buildings to members and staff only due to “First Amendment activities” on the grounds of the Capitol.

Citing U.S. Capitol Police, Fox 5 DC reporter Kenneth Moton reported on X that protesters “will be charged with illegally protesting inside a House office building. Three people have been charged with assaulting a police officer.”

Outside of the Capitol, thousands more gathered to “support those getting arrested on the inside.”

Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-mich., and Cori Bush, D-MO., who have been calling on President Joe Biden to work toward an immediate ceasefire, spoke to the crowd of demonstrators before they entered the Capitol Building.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-mass., posted online in support of the protesters. “Solidarity with those mobilizing and demanding a #Ceasefirenow to save lives,” she said on X.

WUSA9 reporter Adam Longo reported that when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA., appeared on the balcony of the Cannon Office Building, the crowd booed her and shouted, “Shame, shame shame!”

The arrested protesters were expected to be taken off-site, issued citations, and released, according to Longo.

Several Republican lawmakers criticized the message of the protesters.

Rep. Randy Weber, R-texas, posted online that his “I stand with Israel” sign posted outside his Cannon office was torn during the protests.

Amanda Andrade-rhoades The Associated Press Demonstrators, calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, chant and hold banners during a protest Wednesday inside the Cannon House Office Building at the U.S. Capitol. More than 300 people were arrested.