WEBVTT 00:02.033 --> 00:04.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% AMNA NAWAZ: Over the last two months, hundreds of thousands of Americans have come together in 00:04.433 --> 00:09.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies and vigils. The vast majority have been peaceful, 00:11.166 --> 00:15.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% but some have turned violent or included antisemitic or Islamophobic threats. 00:15.433 --> 00:19.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Laura Barron-Lopez reports. 00:19.400 --> 00:23.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Last night, protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and police 00:23.466 --> 00:28.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% clashed outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. 00:29.900 --> 00:32.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Lawmakers, including top House Democrats, we're evacuated from 00:32.600 --> 00:37.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% a fund-raiser after protesters blocked exits to the building. According to U.S. Capitol Police, 00:39.633 --> 00:43.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% one person was arrested for assaulting a police officer and six officers were injured. 00:44.933 --> 00:47.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Yesterday, law enforcement said on social media 00:47.066 --> 00:51.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that 150 people were -- quote -- "illegally and violently protesting." But rally-goers, 00:53.933 --> 00:58.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% led by a coalition of groups including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and IfNotNow Movement, 01:00.500 --> 01:04.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% another American Jewish organization, say police initiated the confrontation. 01:06.233 --> 01:09.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DANI NOBLE, Jewish Voice for Peace Action: We were met with police officers pulling people, 01:10.900 --> 01:14.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% including folks that I was alongside with, down the stairs, 01:14.266 --> 01:19.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% met with pepper spray to the face, met with actions that led to concussion. 01:21.366 --> 01:24.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Last night's demonstration is the latest in a 01:24.000 --> 01:28.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% series of mostly peaceful pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli rallies that have rippled 01:28.933 --> 01:33.933 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% across the country since Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis on October 7. 01:35.300 --> 01:37.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% On Tuesday, tens of thousands gathered on the 01:37.066 --> 01:41.333 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% National Mall to show support for Israel and condemn antisemitism. 01:41.333 --> 01:44.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% YONINA KESCHNER, Protester: It's just really important to show that we are standing together, 01:44.900 --> 01:47.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we are remaining strong, despite any threats. 01:47.633 --> 01:52.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Israel's President Isaac Herzog addressed attendees through a video link. 01:52.133 --> 01:57.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% ISAAC HERZOG, Israeli President: As president of the state of Israel, I vow to you from Jerusalem, 01:59.033 --> 02:03.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% from the Kotel that we will heal. We will rise again, and we will rebuild. 02:07.733 --> 02:11.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: The rally was intended to bridge political and religious divides, 02:11.333 --> 02:15.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% with leaders from both parties and different faiths addressing the crowds. 02:15.500 --> 02:16.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% PASTOR JOHN HAGEE, Christians United for Israel: We pray for 02:16.733 --> 02:19.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the people of Israel and the leaders of Israel. 02:19.700 --> 02:23.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: But the inclusion of controversial televangelist John Hagee drew 02:23.666 --> 02:28.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% criticism. Hagee says he supports Israel, but he also has a record of antisemitic statements. 02:30.633 --> 02:34.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% PASTOR JOHN HAGEE: Then God sent a hunter. A hunter is someone who comes with a gun, and he 02:36.433 --> 02:39.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% forces you. Hitler was a hunter. And the Bible said, Jeremiah writing, they shall hunt them. 02:41.700 --> 02:43.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Earlier this month, 02:43.733 --> 02:47.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% pro-Palestinian crowds rallied outside the White House, calling for an immediate cease-fire. 02:49.466 --> 02:51.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% MAHMOUD ABUNASSER, Protester: People are getting killed every minute, 02:51.566 --> 02:55.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% which is a very sad thing to see, humans die, with no wrong that they're doing. 02:58.333 --> 03:01.700 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% It's just that they happen that they live where the missile hits. 03:01.700 --> 03:04.433 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: And, yesterday, at Columbia University, hundreds of 03:04.433 --> 03:08.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% students and faculty protested an administration decision to suspend 03:08.800 --> 03:12.100 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% two pro-Palestinian student groups through the end of the semester. 03:12.100 --> 03:13.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DARALIZA AVILA CHEVALIER, College Student: The university should be 03:13.700 --> 03:16.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% taking a stance to protect speech and protect the 03:16.933 --> 03:21.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% right of faculty and students to address these issues in an open and frank way. 03:21.700 --> 03:25.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: The university said it suspended the groups after they violated 03:25.066 --> 03:30.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% university policies relating to campus events, including threatening rhetoric. 03:30.066 --> 03:34.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% While most rallies have not been violent, a November 5 protest in a Los Angeles suburb 03:34.900 --> 03:39.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% turned deadly. Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, died after an altercation with 03:41.766 --> 03:45.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% a pro-Palestinian protester, according to California authorities. The Ventura County 03:45.400 --> 03:50.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Sheriff's Office today announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with Kessler's death. 03:50.400 --> 03:53.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Laura Barron-Lopez.