Union Station entrances closed as protests erupt after Netanyahu speech
WASHINGTON - Amtrak police closed every entrance to Union Station except for one after protesters gathered at the major transportation hub following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at Congress.
According to U.S. Park Police, the crowd in and around Columbus Circle Wednesday afternoon was associated with a First Amendment demonstration. Eight people were arrested after officers attempted to calm the crowd, and their instructions were ignored.
Around 4 p.m., Amtrak notified travelers that due to the protest activity, there would be delays near Union Station, and they would be required to show their tickets to gain station access.
D.C. and Capitol Police have been bolstered by officers from departments across the DMV area, and even from as far away as New York City, which sent 100 officers to assist.
FOX 5 has been on the ground covering the demonstrations, which began at the Capitol where protesters attempted to breach barriers set up by law enforcement.
Capitol Police were forced to deploy pepper spray to disperse the crowd. A total of 23 people were arrested throughout the day, per Metropolitan Police Department records.
The scene at Union Station saw U.S. Capitol Police blocking access to Delaware Avenue, a street leading directly to the Capitol.
The demonstrators, organized by the group "Arrest Netanyahu," claimed to have brought thousands of people from across the country, busing in participants from states such as New York, Ohio, and North Carolina.
One protester expressed the group's grievances, stating, "The reason that we're here is because we're hosting Netanyahu, who is orchestrating this genocide and is basically being invited to have the largest platform in the United States to wash his hands from these [actions]."
Featured
Netanyahu in DC live updates: Thousands protest in DC during Israeli leader's address
Police deployed pepper spray as protesters marched toward the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, where Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is speaking amid calls for cease-fire that would end the war & free remaining hostages.
Netanyahu's visit comes amid heightened tensions due to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas, which began after the October 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel.
Protesters accuse Israel of killing too many civilians in Gaza in its efforts to eradicate Hamas.
Despite expectations, large pro-Israel counter-protests did not materialize. However, small groups of pro-Israel demonstrators were present.
They assert that Israel has the right to defend itself after the October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 250 hostages. These supporters also reported facing harassment from pro-Palestinian demonstrators throughout the day.
One pro-Israel protester shared, "I'm really here to bring support to the Israelis. Their message impacts people like myself as well. Activism is something I enjoy, and it encourages others when they see it."
As the protests continued, the statue of Christopher Columbus in front of Union Station was defaced with the words "Free Palestine" and "Terrorists" painted on it.
Additionally, the three massive flagpoles that typically display U.S. flags were stripped by the protesters and replaced with their own flags. Some of those American flags were lit on fire.
National Park Service conservators are expected to begin the removal of paint from the statues and fountains at Columbus Circle on Thursday morning. It may take multiple treatments over several days to remove all of it.
Park police is asking for information to help them identify members of the crowd who assaulted officers or damaged property.
Around 10 p.m., FOX 5 spotted a group of Republican lawmakers who came to Union Station to raise the American flags. They recited the Pledge of Allegiance and left. Included in that group of lawmakers was Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
"They quite literally are championing the cause of Hamas, which is a terrorist organization. It's as Prime Minister Netanyahu said in his remarks today, they're useful idiots for the cause of Iran and its proxies. And it's a dangerous and ridiculous thing," House Speaker Johnson told FOX 5.
Another security perimeter has been established around the Watergate Hotel, where the prime minister is staying during his visit.
U.S. Capitol Police issued a warning to Hill staffers Tuesday, advising them to avoid moving between congressional office buildings on sidewalks and to instead use underground tunnels for safer movement.