Washington, November 17 (RHC)-- Daily protests against Israel’s attack on Gaza continue.  In Washington, DC, human rights activists gathered in front of the White House for a vigil calling on President Biden to back an immediate ceasefire.  Body bags were laid out on the ground to represent the more than 11,500 Palestinians killed by the U.S.-backed Israeli assault.

Later in the evening, activists blocked the entrance of the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters before police violently removed them.  Lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were gathered for a campaign event. This is Eva Borgwardt of the Jewish peace group IfNotNow. 

Eva Borgwardt said:  “We’re outside the Democratic Party headquarters because this party claims to be on the side of life and peace and equality, and we’re saying that we want them to live up to their values and oppose this horrific war and call for a ceasefire now.  And we’re being responded to by the police shoving antiwar activists down the stairs, shoving peaceful protesters back with their bikes.  And because our party, our party that 80% of us want a ceasefire, would rather beat up protesters than...” 

The interview was interrupted when police resumed beating protesters, spraying them with chemical agents and arresting them. 

In Los Angeles, over 1,000 American Jews and others held an emergency sit-in on one of Hollywood’s busiest streets to demand an immediate ceasefire.  Earlier this week, over 700 Jewish activists and their allies shut down Oakland’s federal building.  Hundreds of people were arrested in the action.