Protesters Demanding Gaza Cease-Fire Blocked Biden’s Route To Capitol Ahead Of SOTU

A group of protesters calling for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza on Thursday gathered near the White House and the U.S. Capitol ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress to show their opposition to the president’s handling of the ongoing conflict.

Protesters blocked Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., along the route Biden’s motorcade usually takes from the White House to the U.S. Capitol, reportedly forcing the president to take a longer route.

Demonstrators staged a sit-in on Pennsylvania Avenue, with many holding banners reading “CEASEFIRE” and “BIDEN’S LEGACY IS GENOCIDE,” as they demanded an end to the violence that has so far killed over 30,000 Palestinians, according to local officials.

This comes as talks between Israel and Hamas for a temporary truce ahead of the holy month of Ramadan have so far stalled. A Hamas spokesperson said those talks would continue next week, according to The Associated Press.

A pool report prepared by reporters traveling with the president said his motorcade did not pass by “any large protest groups” on its way to the Capitol but said protesters could be heard from the White House during his departure.

Earlier Thursday, according to The Washington Post, police arrested a man “who allegedly revved” his car’s engine toward those gathered to call for an end to the war.

“I’m only 18 years old! I’m only 18 years old!” the man was heard shouting, the Post reported.

On the House floor, progressive lawmakers, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian-American representative in Congress, and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) held signs reading “lasting ceasefire now” and “stop sending bombs,” respectively.

Bush also brought Intimaa