The activists are from a number of pro-peace organizations - Code Pink, Religions for Peace USA, American Friends Service Committee, Sojourners and Franciscan Action Network - and came to Capitol Hill to protest the actions of US lawmakers in sending more weapons and funds to Ukraine. The targeted lawmakers include alleged progressive Democratic senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
"They promised that NATO would never expand and look, it is all around Russia. [I am here today] to stop the war [in Ukraine], and weapons, money going to Ukraine to kill people. People are dying every day - men, women, and children," the activist said. "All of the senators and all representatives, what they are doing … is money, money, money," Code Pink activist Joan Nicholson said while being escorted out of the building by police.
The activists represented a range of age groups including both young people and the elderly, carrying signs and banners in support of peace such as "Peace in Ukraine," "US militarism fuels climate crisis" and chanting slogans like "ceasefire now."
The protesters near Senator Warren's office tried to convey the message that the United States is only inflaming the conflict in Ukraine by sending thousands of tons of weapons there and emphasized that the war was prompted by the Kiev regime not implementing the Minsk agreements while NATO has continued to seek to expand.
At least 11 peace activists were arrested while protesting at Sanders’ office.