Thread by @JvpAction

Peace vigil demanding DNC call for #ceasefire in Gaza violently attacked by police. 🧵

jvpaction.org/ceasefire-vigi…

Police violently attacked nonviolent anti-war activists at a ceasefire vigil outside a fundraiser event held by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Wednesday evening.

Wielding pepper spray and pellet guns, the police rushed members of the interfaith vigil without warning, where some activists had blocked some of the doors of the Democratic DCCC’s candidate event, asking politicians to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The activists were joined by faith leaders in calling for a ceasefire to end the Israeli military’s massacre of Palestinians, to facilitate a hostage exchange, and to ensure that humanitarian and medical aid can reach Palestinians in besieged Gaza.

As hundreds of anti-war protesters assembled with 11,000 candles and signs calling for a ceasefire, DC police, many in riot gear, rushed the candlelight vigil and attacked protesters blocking some of the entrances to the doors of the DCCC.

According to Jeff Ordower, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, the DC police rushed the protesters without warning. “We’ve been doing actions in DC for decades, and have never had police refuse to talk to a police liaison.”

The vigil continued for 30 minutes, with participants singing Which Side Are You On and chanting Ceasefire Now! The vigil was sponsored by @IfNotNowOrg, @DemSocialists and @JvpAction.

“The Democratic Party just showed exactly how it feels about its voters,” said @sumayaawad, a member of @nycDSA

"With every passing minute that President Biden and the Democratic Party refuse to heed the calls of their voters and demand a ceasefire, more Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by Israeli airstrikes and siege" said @bethavemiller political director with @JvpAction

"We the base of the Democratic Party are here to say if you care about Palestinians, if you care about Israelis, if you care about Jews, if you care about humanity, we need you to call for a ceasefire, a hostage exchange" said @EvaBorgwardt national spokesperson with @IfNotNowOrg

"Calling for a ceasefire is not a radical or fringe demand — a supermajority of Americans and an even bigger majority of Democrats want a Ceasefire NOW" said Renée Paradis of @DemSocialists

Over the past 39 days more than 11,320 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes, and over 29,000 people wounded. Among the dead are more than 4,650 children, with over 1,755 still missing under the rubble.

A recent poll found that 66% of all American voters want a ceasefire in Gaza, including 80% of Democrats, 56% of Republicans, and 57% of Independents.

Yet, despite the overwhelming support for a ceasefire among voters, Democratic leadership and Members of Congress have refused to call for an end to the violence.