180 human rights activists hold sit-ins at 8 senate offices
At this moment on Capitol Hill, 180 human rights activists are holding sit-ins at eight senators’ offices—and 52 activists have been arrested. They’re demanding senators publicly call for an immediate ceasefire for Gaza and an end to U.S. weapons and military funding to Israel.
Sixty-six percent of U.S. voters support a ceasefire, as found in a recent poll by Data for Progress. Yet in an alarming disparity, the Senate has not even introduced a resolution to call for one. Only a single Senator, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, has called for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives voted yesterday to send Israel $14.3 billion in additional weapons.
Human rights activists are currently protesting inside these eight senators’ offices: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA). If you live in one of these districts, please call them urgently right now.
Activists are calling out senators for remaining silent during a genocide, arming Israel with plans to send $14.3 billion in additional weapons, and refusing to speak the demand of the streets: “Ceasefire NOW.”
No matter what district you’re in, please call and email your representatives right now to demand a ceasefire as well.
As the clock ticks, and as each minute passes, time is running out for Palestinian people in Gaza. The Israeli military has been constantly bombing Gaza for four weeks since Oct. 7, 2023, killing at least 9,227 Palestinian people, and wounding over 32,500. Another 2,030 are missing, likely dead or trapped under rubble. The healthcare system has collapsed, with 16 of 35 hospitals out of service. And the bombs are still dropping, as Israel attacks refugee camps, hospitals, and the oldest church in Gaza.
As dozens of major cities hold massive protests each day, hundreds of thousands of people of conscience are taking courageous actions to end U.S. complicity in Israel’s atrocities. Today’s sit-ins at the Senate are only the beginning.
Follow news of today’s sit-ins on USCPR’s social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
And it’s not to late to join us in the streets this weekend. Come to Washington DC tomorrow, Saturday, if you can, and look for other protests near you here.
Please call and email Congress urgently if you’re in the U.S.
