Hamas sympathizers storm Capitol office building, draw GOP criticism: 'Insurrection on Capitol Hill'
by JACKSON WALKER | The National Desk
Wed, October 18th 2023 at 4:55 PMWASHINGTON (TND) — A wave of Hamas sympathizers stormed the Cannon Rotunda on Capitol Hill Wednesday, chanting and waving banners urging President Joe Biden to demand a ceasefire.
U.S. Capitol Police announced the disturbance via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter,saying “demonstrations are not allowed inside Congressional Buildings.”
In a follow-up post, the officials explained “we warned the protestors to stop demonstrating and when they did not comply we began arresting them.”
Many major Republican figures took to social media to compare the incident to the events of January 6.
A group of pro Palestinian insurrectionists stormed the Capitol today,” influencer Libs of TikTokwrote. “Have any of them been arrested, hunted down, or thrown in gulags yet? Will any of them get 17-22-year prison sentences? Shaking.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., went live on X filming the protestors as they chanted and hoisted banners reading “Let Gaza Live” and “ceasefire.”
“There’s an insurrection happening now on Capitol Hill,” Rep. Greenewrote.
Greene continued, calling out “The Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for telling attendants at a Palestinian rally they “are on the right side of history.”
Hamas Caucus Leader @RepRashida is leading the current insurrection on Capitol Hill,” Rep. Greene jeered.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., decried the demonstration as “disgusting” via X.
“What you see behind me is pro-Hamas protestors,” Rep.Ogles said. “They’re here supporting the rape of women and the beheading of babies. These people have lost their freaking minds.”
Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas., showed X followers an “I stand with Israel” sign that previously hung outside his office before being vandalized by protesters.
This is what happens when unrealistic, uneducated people want to support the killing of innocent Israelis, innocent Jews,” he said while sporting a Star of David necktie. “They come into the Capitol building, they wreak havoc. They tear down and destroy somebody’s property because they don’t have a clue what’s going on in the Middle East.”
Rep. Mary Miller, R- Ill., also called the protestors “insurrectionists” and demanded officials uphold similar punishments as January 6 rioters.
“They are interrupting official government proceedings,” she said. “Will there be federal charges? Solitary confinement? Will FBI raid their homes? WHO PAID for their buses, signs & t-shirts? I'll join @RepMTG to get answers!”
Sen. Tom Cotton, R- Ark., asked the Department of Justice to “treat this mob of Hamas supporters the same way they treated grandmothers who wandered into the Capitol on January 6."
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Rep. Derek Van Orden, R- Wis., shared similar sentiments, saying “this is unacceptable.”
“Hamas is a terrorist organization, and the Biden administration is sending mixed signals with their aid to Gaza and the West Bank,” Rep. Van Orden added.
Washington D.C. law declares it “unlawful” to “parade, demonstrate, or picket within any of the Capitol Buildings.” Such a violation can be punishable by a felony charge, $5,000 fine or imprisonment up to five years.
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