More than 60 people, including seven from Lancaster County, were arrested Tuesday during a peaceful demonstration at the U.S. Capitol calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Protest Organized by Mennonite Action
The protest was part of a coordinated effort by Mennonite Action, a grassroots network launched in late 2023 in response to Israel’s war tactics in Gaza. The Harrisonburg, Virginia, branch organized the trip, bringing 120 Mennonites and allies to Washington, D.C. Twenty-one of the participants were from Pennsylvania, according to organizers.
The demonstrators gathered to urge the U.S. government to stop sending weapons to Israel and to allow immediate humanitarian aid into Gaza. “We are calling for an end to the killing and forced starvation of the people of Gaza,” the group said in a statement.
Hymns as Protest
After visiting the office of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and being denied a meeting, the group sat outside his office and began singing hymns. Ben Rush, a Lancaster participant, described the action as “a very Mennonite way of protesting.”
The U.S. Capitol Police soon intervened, instructing the demonstrators to disperse. When they did not leave, officers arrested 61 people.
Charges and Legal Response
Those taken into custody were charged with “Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding,” a misdemeanor offense. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
Capitol Police issued a statement noting, “It is against the law to protest inside the Congressional Buildings. There are other spots on Capitol grounds where demonstrations are allowed.”
All of those arrested were released within 24 hours, Rush confirmed. Organizers said they had anticipated the arrests as part of their civil disobedience plan.
Lancaster Voices
Seven of the arrested demonstrators were from Lancaster County. For Rush and others, faith was a central motivation for taking part.
“I’m committed to my faith, and because it is such an important part of my life, I feel like I have to speak out against atrocities,” Rush said.
A Pacifist Tradition
Mennonites, a Christian group within the Anabaptist tradition, trace their roots back to 16th-century Europe. They are widely recognized for their commitment to pacifism and nonviolence.
“Mennonites have been a tradition of largely pacifists and a peaceful reflection on the message of Jesus,” said Matthew D. Taylor, senior Christian scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore. He noted that Mennonites are often skeptical of tying religious convictions to political power.
Mennonite Action’s Broader Mission
Mennonite Action was founded in November 2023 and has become increasingly active in political advocacy. In addition to opposing U.S. involvement in the Gaza war, the group has also staged demonstrations against immigration enforcement policies.
According to its website, Mennonite Action specifically rejects the use of Christianity by political leaders, including former President Donald Trump’s administration, to justify government policies.
Faith-Driven Civil Disobedience
For many Mennonites, public demonstrations like Tuesday’s action are a natural extension of their religious convictions. Singing hymns outside congressional offices, organizers said, was both an act of worship and a peaceful call for change.
While the arrests highlighted the legal risks involved in such protests, participants stressed that their commitment to nonviolent witness outweighed personal consequences.
As Rush explained, the decision to engage in civil disobedience came from a place of moral responsibility: “If my faith is to mean anything, it has to be lived out in moments like these.”
Leave a Reply