Washington, D.C
Washington DC singes during Netanyahu’s Congress address, US flags burnt amidst ‘Allahu Akbar’ chants
In demonstrations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US, protesters burnt American flags and hoisted Palestinian flags outside Washington’s Union Station. The demonstrators demanded the US stop military aid to Israel.
Police reportedly used pepper spray on some of the thousands of demonstrators who had gathered outside the US Capitol while Netanyahu addressed Congress. Capitol Police said “part of the crowd has started to become violent.” The crowd was heard chanting “free Palestine,” “stop bombing Gaza,” and “Netanyahu you can’t hide.”
People were heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” while burning the American flag.
‘I expect them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law’
The invitation for Netanyahu to speak had been extended by House Speaker Mike Johnson. It received massive criticism from people who are against Israel’s invasion of Gaza. According to health authorities, the invasion has resulted in the deaths of almost 40,000 residents, USA Today reported.
“Pro-terror, anti-Israel agitators are vandalizing federal property, removing American flags, and replacing them with Palestinian flags steps away from the United States Capitol. This is inexcusable, and I expect them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a member of Senate GOP leadership, posted on X, sharing images from the scene.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote, “Hamas flags, slogans about killing Jews, harassment of @CapitolPolice officers, vandalism, burnt American flags, & hanged effigies of PM Netanyahu. These are just some of the appalling scenes at protests around the U.S. Capitol today,” adding that this “vitriolic behavior goes beyond peaceful protests and free speech. It will only further incite violence.”
Non-Capitol Police officers were spotted making mass arrests near Union Station, Politico reported. The US Capitol Police said that “no flags under our protection have been removed or vandalized.”
The police also said that the “crowd failed to obey our order to move back from our police line.” “We are deploying pepper spray towards anyone trying to break the law and cross that line,” they added.
Netanyahu blasted the protesters in his speech, saying, “When the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair are praising, promoting, and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”
Several demonstrators placed 30 human-size cardboard coffins that were wrapped in Palestinian flags.Various roads near the Capitol saw traffic being barred.
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Washington, D.C
DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News
![DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2162775250.jpg)
The cleanup from protests outside Union Station, connected to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before Congress, is underway Thursday morning as officials prepare for the prime minister’s visit to the White House.
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
![WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: National Park Service workers replace one of the flags fronting Union Station on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The flags were removed during the protests surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress which occured as the Israel Hamas war inches closer to a ten month anniversary. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2162775310-1880x1254.jpg)
(Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
![DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News DC traffic persists as cleanup begins after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit – WTOP News](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2162775250.jpg)
(Getty Images/Kent Nishimura)
Getty Images/Kent Nishimura
![WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: National Park Service workers attempt to remove graffiti at Union Station on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. The flags were removed during the protests surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress which occured as the Israel Hamas war inches closer to a ten month anniversary. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2162775396.jpg)
(Getty Images/Kent Nishimura)
Getty Images/Kent Nishimura
![Cleanup Columbus Circle](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-6.png)
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
![Cleanup Columbus Circle](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3-5.png)
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
![](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72524-pro-Plaestinian-Union-Station-protest-3-1672x1254.jpeg)
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
![](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72524-pro-Plaestinian-Union-Station-protest-1672x1254.jpeg)
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
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Clean up begins outside Union Station after protests against Netanyahu’s DC visit
The cleanup from protests outside Union Station, connected to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before Congress, is underway Thursday morning as officials prepare for the prime minister’s visit to the White House.
Protestors used red, green and black spray paint — marking fountains, statues and walkways with symbols and words like “free Palestine” and “let Gaza live.”
The National Park Service has put up metal barriers around Columbus Circle, so it can pick up trash, and treat and clean the marble and stone fountain, statues and walkways, as well as the Freedom Bell, a replica of the Liberty Bell.
The park service says cleaning the marble and stone is delicate and difficult because paint seeps into it. They use a chemical actually called Elephant Snot to loosen the paint before it’s power washed. Several treatments, over the course of days, will be needed.
People passing by seem shocked by what they saw.
One man, Joe, told WTOP “it should have been prevented, I don’t know why they’re allowed to graffiti so much, spray paint so much.”
Another woman — who did not want to give her name — said she’d “never seen anything like this, it’s pretty bad.” Exiting Union Station into Columbus Circle, commuters stop, take pictures and some stand with their mouths open.
At least 15 people were arrested in the protests, police said, which shut down some streets in the area and forced Union Station to close some of its entrances. Some people missed trains, unable to get into the station on time because of the protests.
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said the department will continue to support peaceful protests, but must hold accountable those who commit criminal acts while in the city.
Shutdowns will continue on Thursday as Netanyahu visits the White House. Street closures are outlined below.
Posted closures during Netanyahu’s visit
The closures started on Sunday and are expected to last through Saturday, July 27.
The following streets are posted as Emergency No Parking through Saturday, July 27 at 3 p.m.:
- Virginia Avenue NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue
- Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue to F Street NW
- F Street NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street
- 27th Street NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street
- 2600 block of I Street NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday, July 21 starting at 10 p.m. through Friday, July 26 at 6 a.m.:
- Rock Creek Parkway NW between Virginia Avenue and the Potomac River Freeway southbound
- Virginia Avenue NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue (eastbound lanes)
- Jamal Khashoggi Way (southbound lanes) between Virginia Avenue and F Street NW
- F Street NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street
- 27th Street NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street
- 2600 block of I Street NW
- 27th Street ramp from northbound Potomac River Freeway
Traffic traveling south on Rock Creek Parkway will be diverted east on I Street from Virginia Avenue NW to Potomac River Freeway. Westbound traffic on Virginia Avenue NW will be able to turn north on Rock Creek Parkway.
All traffic from Ohio Drive SW will be diverted north on Potomac River Freeway.
Due to First Amendment activity, plan for intermittent street closures and traffic delays, D.C. police said. Police are advising drivers to consider alternative routes.
Motorists can access businesses and residences around the Watergate Hotel in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood through Jamal Khashoggi Way and 25th Street NW and 27th Street and Virginia Avenue NW.
Residents can access the Watergate Hotel on foot by 27th Street and Virginia Avenue NW, 25th Street and Jamal Khashoggi Way NW and 25th Street and F Street NW.
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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Washington, D.C
Protesters arrested, pepper-sprayed in DC as Israel's Netanyahu addresses Congress
![Protesters arrested, pepper-sprayed in DC as Israel's Netanyahu addresses Congress Protesters arrested, pepper-sprayed in DC as Israel's Netanyahu addresses Congress](https://media.nbcwashington.com/2024/07/GettyImages-2162678690.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&resize=1200%2C675)
What to Know
- Protesters descended on D.C., chanting “Free, Free Palestine” as some tried to block streets ahead of Netanyahu’s speech.
- Police wearing gas masks blocked the crowd – which was calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians – from getting closer to the Capitol.
- Some protesters were pepper-sprayed after a scuffle with police, authorities said. Meanwhile, inside the Capitol, six demonstrators were arrested in the House gallery.
Live updates for this story have concluded. You can look back on developments as they happened below to catch up on this story.
Protesters continued to march in D.C. to condemn Israel’s war in Gaza, sometimes clashing with police, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his fiery speech to a joint session of Congress.
Some protesters chanting “Free, Free Palestine” tried to block streets before Netanyahu’s address. Police wearing gas masks blocked the crowd – which was calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians – from getting closer to the Capitol.
Inside, Netanyahu lauded U.S.-Israeli unity and praised President Joe Biden. Nine months into the war in Gaza, the Israeli PM was seeking to bolster U.S. support for his country’s fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, who has family in the West Bank, had a keffiyeh wrapped over her shoulders and displayed a “Guilty of Genocide” sign as Netanyahu spoke. U.S. Capitol police said they removed and arrested six people from the House Gallery for disrupting Netanyahu’s address.
Protesters have continued to march around Capitol Hill and downtown D.C. for the past few hours, at times blocking streets. Capitol police said they used pepper spray on demonstrators who “became violent” and failed to follow commands at First Street and Constitution Avenue NW.
In late afternoon, a large group amassed at Columbus Circle outside Union Station, not far from the Capitol. Protesters were seen burning an effigy of Netanyahu and replacing American flags with Palestinian ones. Some climbed a flag pole and chanted “Shame on you” as police dragged somebody away. At least two people were seen being treated for the effect of chemical agents to the eyes.
Washington, D.C
WATCH: NYPD Officers Deployed to Washington, D.C. for “Day of Rage” Leftist Protests Against Netanyahu – VINnews
![WATCH: NYPD Officers Deployed to Washington, D.C. for “Day of Rage” Leftist Protests Against Netanyahu – VINnews WATCH: NYPD Officers Deployed to Washington, D.C. for “Day of Rage” Leftist Protests Against Netanyahu – VINnews](https://vinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GTQiXgGX0AAXxjG-1024x768.jpeg)
Washington, D.C. (VINnews) – In a significant show of inter-agency cooperation, more than 200 officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) have been deployed to the nation’s capital to assist local law enforcement in maintaining public safety during the leftist planned “Day of Rage” protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 24.
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These officers, among NYPD’s most highly trained and specialized units, have been sworn in as United States Capitol Police Special Officers. Their deployment aims to bolster the efforts of local law enforcement agencies in managing the expected demonstrations and ensuring public safety during this high-profile event.
More than 200 of NYPD’s Finest are in DC and have been sworn in as United States Capitol Police Special Officers to assist in policing events this week at our nation’s capitol. These officers are some of the most highly trained and from some of the most specialized units in the… pic.twitter.com/zfBNi5n33x
— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) July 23, 2024
“This week, our officers will use their knowledge and expertise to assist our law enforcement partners in D.C.,” said an NYPD spokesperson. “No matter the task, no matter the assignment, no matter how far from home, your NYPD will answer the call and ensure the public is safe and that democracy is protected.”
The decision to send NYPD officers to Washington, D.C. highlights the critical nature of the planned leftist protests and the necessity for robust security measures. The “Day of Rage” has drawn significant attention, with Soros funded organizers calling for widespread demonstrations against Netanyahu.
By working alongside the United States Capitol Police and other local agencies, the NYPD aims to maintain order and prevent any potential disturbances.
The NYPD will always support our fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement. This morning, while headed to DC to assist the DC Capitol Police with events this week, my team and I joined DC law enforcement in a foot pursuit and helped apprehend this fleeing suspect wanted for… pic.twitter.com/oL8ZqdPppT
— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) July 23, 2024
Vanloads of outside agitators have arrived in D.C. ahead of a planned demonstration against a war criminal and far-right extremist carrying out a genocide with the support and assistance of the U.S. government. pic.twitter.com/uyFUUEmO4Z
— Talia Jane ❤️🔥 (@taliaotg) July 24, 2024
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