Pro-Palestine protest breaks out against Israeli Prime Minister’s visit to DC

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — A group of pro-Palestinian activists were protesting in front of the Watergate Hotel, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staying during his visit to D.C.

“My message for lawmakers and people who live here is that every single person who has stayed silent is complicit in genocide,” activist Mimi Ziad said at the protest.

Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon, with Maryland U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D) presiding over the session.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced several road closures and parking restrictions will be in place during the rest of his visit.

According to MPD, parking will be restricted from Sunday, July 21 through Saturday, July 27 at 3 p.m. on the following streets:

• Virginia Avenue from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue, NW
• Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue to F Street, NW
• F Street from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street, NW
• 27th Street from Virginia Avenue to K Street, NW
• 2600 block of I Street, NW

Additionally, the following streets will be closed to vehicles from Sunday, July 21 through Friday, July 26 at 6 a.m.:

• Rock Creek Parkway from Virginia Avenue, NW to South Potomac River Freeway
• Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue, NW (eastbound lanes)
• Jamal Khashoggi Way, NW (southbound lanes), from Virginia Avenue, NW to F Street, NW
• F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to Jamal Khashoggi Way, NW
• 27th Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to K Street, NW
• The ramp to 27th Street from northbound Potomac River Freeway

There will also be closures near the Capitol on Wednesday, July 24 from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No Parking:

• Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th Street and 3rd Street, NW
• Constitution Avenue between 15th Street and 3rd Street, NW
• Independence Avenue between 14th Street and 3rd Street, SW
• Maryland Avenue between Independence Avenue and 3rd Street, SW
• 3rd Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
• 7th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• Jefferson Drive, NW between 3rd Street and 7th Street
• Madison Drive, NW between 3rd Street and 7th Street

Closed to vehicles:

• Pennsylvania Avenue between Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street, NW
• East Capitol Street from First Street and Second Street
• First Street, SE, between East Capitol Street and Independence Street, SE
• First Street, NE, between North Capitol Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.

MPD indicated that First Amendment demonstrations could alter the road closures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.