Muslim civil rights group calls for DC police and federal officials to explain actions, reverse decision
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Washington, D.C., police and federal law enforcement for their “unjustified and unconstitutional” decision to forcibly dismantle a peaceful 54-day protest outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., and block streets outside the embassy to prevent other protests.
Over the past two months, a small group of anti-war protesters has been stationed outside the Israeli embassy. Protesters have been peaceful and maintained contact with federal and local law enforcement.
Local and federal enforcement recently approached protest leaders without warning and ordered them to vacate a public street outside the embassy or face arrest. Officials refused to explain the reason or basis for their order to disperse, which protest leaders complied with.
A statement by the protesters said in part:
“We believe the abrupt and forced termination, and threats of imminent arrest, to be a grave violation of our First Amendment and Fourth Amendment constitutional rights. In addition to the suspicious circumstances, we were provided no written order, no substantive explanation, and not even an indication of who ordered our removal.”
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We call on local and federal law enforcement to explain and reverse their unjustified, unconstitutional decision to ban peaceful protests outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. The American people have a constitutional right to peacefully assemble, and it is completely unacceptable to treat the public streets outside the Israeli embassy as if the First Amendment somehow does not apply there. The systematic attempts to silence peaceful anti-war protesters across our nation, from the embassy to college campuses, must end.”
Before law enforcement forcibly shut down the protest outside the Israeli Embassy, the Secret Service arrested a pro-Israel leader who allegedly jumped out of his car and assaulted demonstrators.
Suspect Ezra Weinblatt, who has reportedly resigned from his role as a board member with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Washington, DC, allegedly climbed out of his vehicle, approached a group of Palestinian demonstrators, threw their audio equipment into the street, and struck a female demonstrator in the face. He has been charged with destruction of property and simple assault.
Video of the alleged assault and arrest of the suspect was posted online.
Protests against the Israeli government’s war on Gaza have occurred nationwide over the past six months, including outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.
Democrats, Republicans and independents have all become less supportive of Israel’s operation in Gaza than they were in December. Then, a narrow majority approved of Israeli conduct. The latest figures show that a majority, 55%, disapprove of Israel’s actions, while 36% approve.
CBS News poll: Rising numbers of Americans say Biden should encourage Israel to stop Gaza actions
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com