Jewish protesters and allies stage sit-in at California federal building demanding Gaza cease-fire
Jewish protesters and allies stage sit-in at California federal building demanding Gaza cease-fire
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer approaches protesters during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Officers with the Department of Homeland Security watch as demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The portraits of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are seen inside a federal building as demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators protest outside the Oakland Federal Building demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Department of Homeland Security officers detain a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Protesters kneel as they wait to be detained by Department of Homeland Security officers during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A woman walks up to be detained and cited as Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A woman holds her fist up as she is led away as Department of Homeland Security officers arrested protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest Oakland fillmaker Boots Riley, who was among protesters involved in a sit-in protest calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Protesters sing during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war at the Ron Dellums Federal Building on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer approaches protesters during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer approaches protesters during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Officers with the Department of Homeland Security watch as demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Officers with the Department of Homeland Security watch as demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The portraits of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are seen inside a federal building as demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The portraits of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are seen inside a federal building as demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators protest outside the Oakland Federal Building demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Demonstrators stage a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Department of Homeland Security officers detain a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Department of Homeland Security officers detain a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Protesters kneel as they wait to be detained by Department of Homeland Security officers during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Protesters kneel as they wait to be detained by Department of Homeland Security officers during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A Department of Homeland Security officer detains a protester during a sit-in demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Oakland Federal Building in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A woman walks up to be detained and cited as Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A woman walks up to be detained and cited as Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A woman holds her fist up as she is led away as Department of Homeland Security officers arrested protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
A woman holds her fist up as she is led away as Department of Homeland Security officers arrested protesters during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest Oakland fillmaker Boots Riley, who was among protesters involved in a sit-in protest calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Department of Homeland Security officers move in to arrest Oakland fillmaker Boots Riley, who was among protesters involved in a sit-in protest calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Protesters sing during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war at the Ron Dellums Federal Building on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Protesters sing during a sit-in protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war at the Ron Dellums Federal Building on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, in Oakland, Calif. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of protesters led by Jewish peace activists calling for a cease-fire in Gaza staged a sit-in inside of the federal building in Oakland, California, leading to multiple arrests.
People wore T-shirts reading “Jews Say Cease-fire Now” and carried banners that read “Not in Our Name” and “Let Gaza Live” in the rotunda of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal building on Monday evening.
Jewish Voice for Peace, one of the protest organizers, posted online that dozens of people had been taken into custody by 9 p.m.
Protesters were escorted outside of the building by U.S. Department of Homeland Security police. Messages were sent early Tuesday to the department and to Oakland police asking how many people were arrested and on what charges.
“There is no other choice,” Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb of Berkeley told KNTV-TV when explaining why she was at the sit-in. “How many people do we have to kill before we arrive at a cease-fire?”
The protest was part of a growing number across the country following fighting triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel, whose response has led to thousands of deaths — and much destruction — across Gaza.
On Monday, hundreds of Jewish peace activists and their allies converged at a major train station in downtown Chicago during rush hour blocking the entrance to the Israeli consulate and demanding U.S. support for an Israel cease-fire.
Jewish Voice for Peace led a similar sit-in in New York City’s Grand Central Station on Oct. 27, where a sea of protesters filled the main concourse during evening rush hour, chanting slogans and unfurling banners demanding a cease-fire as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. At least 200 demonstrators were detained by New York police officers.
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The story has been updated to correct a typo in the name of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.