Organizing Notes: Christians for a Free Palestine protest inside U.S. Senate

Demonstrators with Christians for a Free Palestine protest the Gaza famine in the U.S. Senate cafeteria, April 9, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. (RNS photo/Aleja Hertzler-McCain)

Dear Friends,

Yesterday April 9th, Christians for a Free Palestine sponsored a moving Prayer and Communion Service on the U.S. Capitol grounds, followed by a nonviolent blockade of the U.S. Senate Cafeteria calling for "Food Not Bombs to Gaza" and urgent delivery of food and humanitarian aid to address the famine in Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and end to the U.S.-backed Israeli genocidal war in Gaza, a halt to U.S. arms and military aid to Israel, release of all captives, and an end to Israel's Illegal occupation of Palestine.

Several hundred Christian peace activists from across the U.S. took part in this witness, including members of the DMV-based Christians 4 Ceasefire, and 50 were arrested for the blockade.

Supporters who were not arrested and ordered to leave the Senate Cafeteria proceeded to do a spontaneous singing procession in the tunnels of the Senate Buildings before ordered by U.S Capitol Police to leave the Senate complex.

Those arrested were charged with "crowding, obstructing, or incommoding."

After being transported to a U.S. Capitol police processing facility, all were released by 5 PM on April 9th.

Please see below links to news articles.

In resurrection hope,

Art Laffin

Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House

Washington DC