On Day 1 of the DNC, pro-Hamas protesters were allowed to run rampant in public streets by DC police without a permit.
No comment was given by the DC police on the number of officers present to monitor the protest.
Despite not obtaining a permit, anti-Israel agitators in the nation's capital were granted permission by law enforcement to protest in the streets on Monday, causing traffic disruptions and occupying private property.
In Washington, D.C., a group of pro-Hamas activists marched down Massachusetts Avenue and North Capitol Street, rallying in front of the Hall of States building that houses major media outlets. They held up an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an image that was also present during previous pro-Hamas protests in the city that resulted in vandalism and violence.
"According to Planet Chronicle Digital, the District of Columbia does not require a permit for demonstrations. Metropolitan Police officers were present to ensure the event was peaceful, but the number of officers assigned to monitor the protest was not specified. D.C. police declined to comment on the matter, citing that they do not publicly discuss "operational tactics and procedures.""
On July 24, during Netanyahu's address to Congress on the Israel-Hamas war, protesters burned an American flag, vandalized a Columbus statue with "Hamas is coming," replaced an American flag at Union Station with a Palestinian one, and shouted "Allahu Akbar" while carrying Hamas' flag.
The Associated Press reported that police were forced to use pepper spray on protesters who became violent, disobeyed commands, and assaulted officers. Initially, U.S. Capitol Police arrested six people, but subsequent reports indicated that about 20 protesters were eventually arrested. Prosecutors later dropped many of the less serious charges against 11 of the protesters, according to the Washington attorney general's office.
The protests were widely condemned, including by Democrats.
"Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated in a response to the July protest that defacing public property, desecrating the American flag, threatening Jews with violence, and promoting terrorist groups like Hamas is not acceptable under any circumstances. He emphasized that there is a distinction between lawful expression and disorderly conduct, and that anyone who violates the law must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
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