Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza interrupted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
"Cease fire now," were their chants, as Blinken began talking (along with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin) about the White House's $106 billion national security funding request. That includes about $14 billion to support Israel's military efforts against the terrorist group Hamas.
Rising one by one, the protesters waited for Blinken to begin his testimony before shouting again. The Secretary of State took a break and lawmakers were forced to adjourn the session several times, writes the BBC.
Meanwhile, the Capital Police quickly escorted the demonstrators from the room and said that 12 people had been arrested for illegal protests.
Some of those who disrupted the proceedings were linked to the left-wing anti-war organization CODEPINK, which has also called for the US to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.
BREAKING: Dozens of anti-war activists with @codepink interrupt Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a Senate hearing to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza pic.twitter.com/eKPOCSyzvA
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) October 31, 2023