Anti-Israel demonstrators descended on Washington, D.C., on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress in a scene that quickly turned chaotic.
At least one demonstrator, whose face was covered, was spotted by Fox News carrying what appeared to be the flag of the terrorist group Hamas while others were heard shouting “allahu Akbar.”
At Union Station, agitators burned an American flag and vandalized a statue with the words “Hamas is coming.” They also took down an American flag and flew the Palestinian flag instead.
The US Capitol Police advised that “No flags under our protection have been removed or vandalized. Our officers will enforce the law if anyone attempts to remove a flag in USCP jurisdiction. To clear up inaccurate reporting.”
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Union Station, where the American flag was removed, is not on U.S. Capitol Grounds.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of protesters had gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue and 3rd Street, outside the Gallery of Art. The protest organizers included Answer Coalition and Code Pink. There have been numerous speakers from various organizations, including one from the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
A pro-Hamas protester was seen holding a Hamas flag during a march. (Lucas Tomlinson/Fox News Digital)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators burn an Israeli flag, on the day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
Pro-Hamas protesters tagged a statue at Union Station with “Hamas is Coming.” (Katie Pavlich)
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Pro-Palestinian protesters took down an American flag flying over Union Square, replacing it with a Palestinian flag on Wednesday. (Eyal Yakoby)
Pro-Hamas protesters vandalized a bell at Union Station on Wednesday. (Katie Pavlich)
A demonstrator is taken into custody as they protest the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Washington. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
One anti-Israel demonstrator in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday was spotted carrying the Hamas flag. (Fox News/ Griff Jenkins)
Fox News crews witnessed numerous signs with Netanyahu’s face, labeling him a “Wanted War Criminal.”
Even inside Capitol Hill, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., held up a sign that said “war criminal” while listening to Netanyahu’s speech.
Rep. Rashiada Tlaib, D-Mich., holds up a sign that says war criminal during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech. (CSPAN)
Other slogans from protesters on signs included, “Stop the Genocide,” “Stop arming Israel,” and “End all US Aid.”
Washington, D.C> protesters holding up anti-Israel signs. (Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
The crowds have chanted “Free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea…,” an antisemitic phrase that calls for the elimination of the state of Israel.
Pro-Hamas protesters tagged Union Station with “F— Israel.” (Katie Pavlich)
Anti-Israel protesters have gathered in Washington, D.C., ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. (Fox News)
The speakers later concluded and the crowd of attendees started walking up Pennsylvania Avenue.
Police officers try to stop pro-Palestinian demonstrators from taking down a U.S. flag outside Union Station, on the day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
(Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
U.S. Capitol Police officers clash with anti-Israel demonstrators, on the day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. (Reuters//Umit Bektas))
Anti-Israel protesters march near the US Capitol as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by ANDREW THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images) (Andrew Thomas/AFP via Getty Images))
Police formed a blockade on the corner of Constitution and Louisiana Avenue, and demonstrators released red and green powder into the air.
DC Metropolitan Police clear demonstrators from blocking traffic, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Washington, ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit at the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Some protesters yelled at the police line, “You’re a b—-.” Fox News witnessed pepper spray being used at one point.
U.S. Capitol Police said six people were arrested after disrupting the joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday afternoon.
Police use pepper spray as anti-Israel demonstrators as they gather on the day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard) (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
“All of them were immediately removed from the Gallery and arrested,” Capitol Police said in a post on X. “Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in the Congressional Buildings is against the law.”
Capitol Police originally said five people had been arrested, but later updated it, saying, “Our officers just reported that the final number of arrests in the House Galleries was a total of six people for D.C. Code §10-503.16(b)(2), Unlawful Conduct.”
Demonstrators blocking traffic on Independence Ave., near the National Mall ahead of a scheduled visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US Capitol, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Earlier, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers were seen clearing anti-Israel protesters who were blocking traffic in the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
U.S. Capitol Police officers use pepper spray on anti-Israel demonstrators, on the day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. (REUTERS/Umit Bektas) (Reuters/Umit Bektas)
Police have taken people into custody near the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported.
DC police begin to clear demonstrators from blocking traffic on Independence Ave., near the National Mall, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A handful of people were led away by officers, while others chanted for them to be released.
An anti-Israel protester has his eyes washed after police used pepper spray during anti-Israel demonstrations as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday morning on Pennsylvania Avenue within sight of the Capitol building, the AP reported.
At one point Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., was seen speaking with Tlaib. (Getty Images)
A large group of protesters marched toward the Capitol after blocking a nearby intersection and calling for a “student intifada.”
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Anti-Israel demonstrators burn a U.S. flag and an effigy depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the day of Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
“Shut it down!” they repeatedly chanted.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators burn a U.S. flag, on the day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
Anti-Israel demonstrators burn an effigy depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the day of Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 24, 2024. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
“Bibi, Bibi, We’re not done! The intifada has just begun!” demonstrators shouted, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
Just after 3 p.m., the U.S. Park Police said on social media that a “crowd in Columbus Circle is engaged in criminal activity and confronting law enforcement on scene. USPP is attempting to deescalate and contact the event organizer for help.”
Around 15 minutes later, the Park Police advised that the Columbus Circle protest permit had been revoked, adding “Please leave the area at this time.”
Park Police said just after 4 p.m. that a crowd remained at Columbus Circle, again advising on social media for protesters to disperse.
Fox News’ Meghan Tome and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
