Anti-Israel Protesters Shut Down California Legislature
4th January 2024
Over 100 anti-Israel protesters shut down the California Assembly on Wednesday during its first legislative session of the year, as lawmakers face a massive $68 billion deficit and crises from rising homelessness and crime.
“We all knew something was up” when hundreds of people filed into the galleries with face coverings, said GOP assemblyman Joe Patterson. The protesters flooded the balconies overlooking the assembly chamber early Wednesday afternoon ahead of the call to order and most refused to stand for the prayer or the Pledge of Allegiance.
As Speaker pro tempore Jim Wood (D.) launched into the business of the day, the protesters began singing “ceasefire now,” drowning out the legislators as they tried to speak. Wood rebuked them as “disruptive,” but was ultimately forced to call a recess. After a short break, Wood wrapped business in the chamber and dismissed the lawmakers for the day. A spokesman for the California capitol police put the number of protesters at 150, and said they did not obtain a permit to demonstrate on capitol grounds.
Compare the treatment of these ‘insurrectionists’ with those of Jan. 6.