Israel war: Code Pink occupies Senate Democrat offices demanding Gaza ceasefire

Progressive activists descended on the U.S. Senate on Friday, occupying the offices of numerous Democrats to demand Congress force Israel to engage in a ceasefire in Gaza.

The sit-in, which a U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson tells the Washington Examiner led to the arrest of 52 demonstrators, was organized by Code Pink, the far-left advocacy group, and the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. Those arrested were charged with violating a part of D.C. Code related to illegally protesting inside a congressional office building.

HALEY SEEKS TO NEUTRALIZE DESANTIS HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE AT THIRD GOP DEBATE

Those protesters, many of whom covered themselves in fake blood to highlight the carnage in Gaza, took over the offices of Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD).

A group led by USCPR also hung a large banner directly outside of Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) office calling for the U.S. to stop arming Israel, which the organization posted photos of on social media.

The USCPR also posted video of activists screaming at Misty Rebik, Sanders’s longtime chief of staff, as she walked into her office.

“You walk away from us as our people die. Their blood is on your hands, Misty,” one woman shouted as Rebik walked away.

The group did not have any run-ins with the senators they were looking for, which isn’t a surprise. Most members of the upper chamber work from their home states from Friday through Monday.

Earlier this week, Code Pink organized the protest to disrupt Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding President Joe Biden’s supplemental funding request, which includes over $14 billion in aid to Israel.

Demonstrators repeatedly interrupted Blinken’s opening statement as Capitol Police officers removed those shouting one by one. At one point, dozens of protesters in the audience raised their hands to reveal they were covered in fake blood.

“Ceasefire now. Save the children of Gaza. Save the children of Gaza. Ceasefire now! Where is your pride, American?” one man chanted before being booted from the hearing room.

A Capitol Police spokesperson said after the Tuesday hearing that 12 protesters were arrested on the same charge as the Friday protesters.

Democrats control the Senate 51-49, and currently 14 members of the conference have called for a “short-term cessation of hostilities” in the region amid the escalating civilian death toll in Gaza. The group, which includes Markey, Booker, Van Hollen, Merkley, Warren, and Shaheen, released a statement late Thursday concurring with Biden’s Wednesday comment that a “pause” in fighting is needed to safely get hostages out and humanitarian aid in.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“The failure to adequately protect non-combatant civilians risks dramatic escalation of the conflict in the region and imposes severe damage on prospects for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. Based on the consensus opinion of U.S. and international aid officials, it is nearly impossible to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to protect civilian life under current conditions,” the senators said.

“Thus, we join President Biden in his call for a short-term cessation of hostilities that pose high-risk to civilians, aid workers or humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza.”