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'There's no excuse to kill civilians' | Demonstrator who called for ceasefire in Gaza confronts congressman outside DNC

California Congressman called demonstrators "pro-Hamas terrorists"

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. Capitol Police Officers stand guard outside the Democratic National Committee Thursday where gates now block the entrance to the DNC Headquarters. This comes after a peaceful protest turned violent Wednesday night. 

One demonstrator from Wednesday night returned to confront California Congressman Brad Sherman. Congressman Sherman posted to X, formerly known at Twitter, that he was evacuated from the DNC Wednesday night after “pro-terrorist, anti-Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.” 

The demonstrator took deep offense to that saying many of the activists Wednesday night were American Jews with family in Israel, even some rabbis were in the crowd. 

“Sir, what is the strategy is to that?” Eva Borgwardt with If Not Now asked.

“I got to get your organization to call for Hamas to disarm that’s my strategy,” said Congressman Sherman.

“Sir, why don’t you call for Netanyahu to stop saying they are going to raise Gaza to the ground and they’re fighting human animals as they kill over 11,000 children.  Why won’t you call on Netanyahu to say that! That’s what’s driving this right now!” responded Borgwardt.

Borgwardt and close to 200 demonstrators clashed with Capitol Police outside DNC headquarters Wednesday night. Demonstrators said police attacked peaceful protests, but U.S. Capitol Police released a statement saying the protestors pepper sprayed officers. Six officers were hurt and one New York man was arrested for assaulting an officer.

“They need to take our democracy seriously and we’re a country being watched all over the world and we are going through an upheaval, and you have to think about what do other countries think about this country now,” said Lauri Glattly, “It’s sad.”

Borgwardt said protestors only gathered outside the DNC Wednesday night after their attempt to talk to congressmembers failed, but she said their peaceful protest turned violent when police showed up. Still, she says their message is clear.

“We have relatives and loved ones who were murdered on October 7 in Israel and are being held by Hamas right now of course those attacks were horrific or course those tactics were horrific there’s no excuse to kill civilians what we’re saying there’s also no excuse for killing Palestinian civilians,” said Borgwardt.

WUSA9 reached out to the DNC for comment but have not heard back. 

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