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BumRushDaShow

(129,346 posts)
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 06:03 AM Apr 10

Around 50 protesters arrested over protest in Senate building which shut down cafeteria

Source: UK Independent

8 hours ago


More than 50 anti-Israel protesters were arrested after storming through a Senate office building, causing the cafeteria to be briefly shut down. Footage posted to social media on Tuesday showed the demonstration, in which dozens of protesters were seen chanting “Senate can’t eat until Gaza eats!”

Later protesters were seen unfurling a large purple banner which read “Christians for a Free Palestine”. Another read “Break bread not bodies.” Campaign group Christians for a Free Palestine took credit for orchestrating the demonstration alongside CodePink, a self-described grassroots feminist organisation which has previously caused disruptions at congressional hearings.

The groups were pushing for Congress to back a ceasefire, restore aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and to end military aid to Israel. The protest took place at around 12.30pm ET inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Other footage later showed demonstrators being led away by police officers in handcuffs.

“Approximately 50 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building this afternoon. It is illegal to demonstrate inside any of the Congressional Buildings,” the Capitol Police said in a statement shared with The Washington Post.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/protestors-arrests-senate-israel-gaza-cafeteria-b2526111.html

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Around 50 protesters arrested over protest in Senate building which shut down cafeteria (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 10 OP
Does this type of civil-disobedience help? Does it 'move the needle'? keopeli Apr 10 #1
It Helps Trump, Sir --- No One And Nothing Else The Magistrate Apr 10 #2
Welcome back! We missed your insight comments question everything Apr 10 #11
I see no reason to give them the benefit of the doubt. AnrothElf Apr 10 #3
I can't see how it helps PatSeg Apr 10 #4
They've been doing this for decades. LeftInTX Apr 10 #6
You mean they didn't break down doors, beat police officers and spray them with mace, and Ray Bruns Apr 10 #7
They may have broken doors. LeftInTX Apr 10 #8
CodePink was involved also? MarineCombatEngineer Apr 10 #5
Throw the book at them. These are Mafia tactics. Jacson6 Apr 10 #9
So they do this two days after Hamas rejected a ceasefire ripcord Apr 10 #10

keopeli

(3,524 posts)
1. Does this type of civil-disobedience help? Does it 'move the needle'?
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 06:32 AM
Apr 10

Their actions certainly demonstrates their sincerity with regard to supporting the innocent and endangered Palestinians, and it does come at an enormous personal cost.

I just wonder:
Does it garner enough media attention to apply meaningful pressure on the Senators?
Does it help any Senator to see the Israel/Palestine issue differently?
Does it persuade the public to take more concrete steps in defense of Palestine?

Understand that I am NOT criticizing the pro-Palestine position, defending Israel/Netan-yahoo, or contradicting the message this group is trying to promote. I am simply uncertain that this type of protest/civil disobedience is effective in any way. In fact, I wonder if it might be counterproductive when all the costs and benefits are considered.

The Magistrate

(95,251 posts)
2. It Helps Trump, Sir --- No One And Nothing Else
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 08:34 AM
Apr 10

Once expects they know, and if they don't, they merely demonstrate they are far too stupid to heed.

AnrothElf

(584 posts)
3. I see no reason to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 08:37 AM
Apr 10

Most likely these high-profile astroturf protests are explicitly designed as an to attempt to divide Democrats during an election year, in hopes of getting Trump re-elected.

PatSeg

(47,564 posts)
4. I can't see how it helps
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 09:06 AM
Apr 10

Especially after Jan 6th. Poor choice to storm " through a Senate office building". There are better, more effective ways to protest. Meanwhile, occupants of that building would be justifiably paranoid about large groups of rowdy people entering the building.

Ray Bruns

(4,110 posts)
7. You mean they didn't break down doors, beat police officers and spray them with mace, and
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 10:18 AM
Apr 10

Shit on the floors?

MarineCombatEngineer

(12,423 posts)
5. CodePink was involved also?
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 09:24 AM
Apr 10

Should've figured these fucking morons would be involved, they protest anything American all the while enjoying the 1st Amendment rights of Americans to protest.
What a bunch of fucking hypocrites.

Jacson6

(352 posts)
9. Throw the book at them. These are Mafia tactics.
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 11:06 AM
Apr 10

Any one that suffers PTSD from the incident should sue all fifty of them for pain & suffering.

It is fine to have a civil protest in front of congress, but this is totally uncalled for.

ripcord

(5,497 posts)
10. So they do this two days after Hamas rejected a ceasefire
Wed Apr 10, 2024, 11:22 AM
Apr 10

Seems they missed a memo or are actually working to discredit democrats.

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