DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A pro-Palestinian rally ended Thursday evening, with several protestors being escorted out of the Neal Smith Federal Building by federal law enforcement. KCCI reports the Catholic Peace Ministry and the Des Moines chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom hosted the rally in front of the downtown Des Moines building to urge Iowa’s senators to stop sending aid to Israel. A handful of demonstrators went inside the federal building where Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Chuck Grassley’s offices are. Luke Clausen was one of them that made it inside. He told KCCI they met with congressional staffers, delivering a list of names of people killed in Gaza and handing them flowers.

Clausen, along with a few others, then went up to the congressional offices and refused to leave after the building closed at five. He said he was issued an $80 citation. Clausen said he was told that he, along with others, would be arrested for trespassing if they go back without reason to. As demonstrators were inside, people outside were chanting and singing while holding flags and signs. They called out Ernst and Grassley by name several times.

In a statement made to KCCI, a spokesperson for Grassley’s office said: “Sen. Grassley affirms Americans’ right to peacefully protest, while reaffirming his support for Israel’s right to defend itself from the terrorist group Hamas. Israel has taken necessary, targeted measures to respond to Hamas’ attacks while working to minimize civilian casualties. Labeling Israel’s actions as genocide is inappropriate and incorrect.”