Protesters were outside the Harris residence for several hours, singing, chanting and holding signs, one of which read “Jews say ceasefire now. No genocide in our name.”

IfNotNow jointly organized a protest with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Wednesday where many demonstrators entered the Cannon House office building demanding a cease-fire.

The demonstration resulted in several arrests and a few people being charged for assaulting a police officer during processing, U.S. Capitol Police said.

The protest in Los Angeles and in Washington, D.C., both intended to call on the Biden administration to urge Israel to stop its attack on civilians in Gaza. The Biden administration has largely defended Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, after Hamas militants carried out a a surprise attack of Israeli civilians Oct. 7.

Across the country police increased security measures as fears spread. Police in New York and Los Angeles increased patrols, authorities in Washington, D.C., put up barriers around the U.S. Capitol and some schools closed last Friday when former Hamas leaders called for a “day of rage.”