One day before Saturday’s mass protest, 52 activists were arrested on Capitol Hill as they occupied the offices of Democratic senators, demanding the lawmakers back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The senators included Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

In Rhode Island, the Providence City Council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire and for the Biden administration to send humanitarian aid to Gaza. This came just days after City Councilor Miguel Sanchez was fired from his job at the Rhode Island Governor’s Office for speaking out against the Israeli assault in Gaza.