A group of over 50 progressive activists took to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to protest the ongoing war in Ukraine and urge lawmakers to pressure the Biden administration to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Outside of the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), 11 protesters were arrested after they refused to end a sit-in demonstration. Even senior citizens, including a disabled elderly woman, were either handcuffed or escorted out by officers.
The protest, organized by nonprofit organization Code Pink and the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, targeted the congressional offices of 12 progressive and Democratic lawmakers, according to the organizers.
Protesters are enraged by the loss of tens of thousands of lives on both sides of the conflict in Ukraine. They also criticize the Biden administration for its perceived reluctance to engage in negotiations for a peaceful resolution.
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, expressed her disappointment in Democrats for their silence and continuous support of arms deals without demanding negotiations.
She criticized proponents of Ukraine security aid who dismiss the possibility of negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Benjamin firmly believes that negotiations should be attempted and expressed concern for human survival and the future of the species if the war continues.
The demonstration brought together religious leaders and progressive activists from across the country. Cornel West, the Green Party presidential candidate, even gave a speech at the protest’s beginning in the lobby of the Hart Senate building.
During conversations with aides of congressional offices, the protesters discussed the facts surrounding the war and the conflict with Russia. While they acknowledge the Russian invasion as condemnable, they argue that the U.S. has played a role in the situation and that negotiations should at least be initiated.
The protesters highlight the struggles faced by Ukraine in its counteroffensive and emphasize that the war will eventually be resolved through negotiations, albeit with further casualties.
“This is not a simple fight between democracy and autocracy,” said Marcy Winograd, co-chairwoman of the Peace in Ukraine Coalition. “We want negotiations without preconditions. We don’t want to wait for Russia to leave every inch of Ukraine and Crimea. I have grandchildren, and I don’t want this for their future.”
Congressional aides acknowledge that ending the conflict is not a straightforward task, given Putin’s unwillingness to negotiate and his brutal campaign against the Ukrainian people.
Max Hoffman, a foreign policy adviser for Sanders, stated that Putin is still pursuing military objectives with a military approach. He highlighted that Ukraine has the right to defend itself since it is on its own territory.
Supporters of arming Ukraine argue that the West should not yield territory to Russia, as doing so would encourage further invasions by Putin into other European nations.
Ryan Morgan, a policy adviser for Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), explained that voting against arms packages is not straightforward, as they may be bundled with humanitarian aid in an omnibus bill.
Furthermore, Morgan emphasized that diplomacy is a complex process.
“There is no magic button for diplomacy,” he said. “Both Russia and Ukraine have shown little interest in diplomacy. Both sides believe they can win in their own way.”
Sanders expressed his concerns about “endless wars” and nuclear conflict in a letter to the activist group. While he condemned Putin’s invasion, he affirmed that Ukrainians have the right to resist based on moral and international law. Sanders called for support of a just peace in Ukraine, guided by principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international law.
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