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Ahead of Netanyahu’s UN Address, Over Two Dozen Protesters Arrested During Anti-Israel Demonstration in Manhattan
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a tense and highly charged demonstration on Thursday morning, more than two dozen protesters from the anti-Israel group Within Our Lifetime were arrested by the NYPD in Manhattan. The protest, which unfolded near East 49th Street and First Avenue in Midtown East, was part of a larger action organized by the group in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to New York City to address the United Nations. The New York Post reported that a total of 25 individuals were taken into custody during the demonstration, although the exact charges were not immediately made public.
NOW: ARRESTS made as Pro-Palestine Protesters Light Smoke Bombs to protest Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly in NYC
Video by @peterhvideo @FreedomNTV [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/QxV4cKm8dB
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) September 27, 2024
The protest was marked by loud chants, banners, and a strong police presence. Demonstrators rallied with a large red banner that read, “No war criminals in NYC!”, a direct reference to Netanyahu, whom they accused of committing genocide. The New York Post report noted that the protesters loudly chanted, “Netanyahu, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” as they took to the streets shortly after 8 a.m. The demonstration also featured chants calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel, with protesters shouting, “Stop bombing Gaza! Stop funding Israel! Stop arming Israel!”
As the demonstration escalated, video footage posted on Citizen showed members of Within Our Lifetime linking hands and standing in defiance of the police. The New York Post reported that officers arrived on the scene equipped with zip-tie handcuffs and began leading several demonstrators away from the protest. Despite the arrests, the protesters continued to chant, “Let Gaza live!” as they were detained.
Thousands marching tonight in NYC shutting down 3rd Ave at the @WOLPalestine action to protest Netanyahu’s scheduled speech at the UN and demand Eric Adams resign as mayor 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/OGagPCV5Sq
— Gerard (@GerardDalbon) September 26, 2024
By the late afternoon, police confirmed that all 25 individuals had been released with summonses for disorderly conduct. Although the protest led to the temporary arrest of dozens of demonstrators, the legal ramifications appeared to be minimal, with those involved facing relatively minor charges. The protest, however, was just one part of a larger demonstration planned by Within Our Lifetime, signaling that tensions were far from over.
The protest on Thursday morning was only one element of Within Our Lifetime’s broader “Flood the United Nations for Gaza and Lebanon” demonstration, which was planned to coincide with Netanyahu’s visit to New York City. According to the New York Post, the group had posted on social media that their aim was to “turn the city into a frozen zone,” demonstrating their intent to disrupt the day’s activities in protest of Israeli policies and Netanyahu’s presence at the U.N. General Assembly.
NOW: “Free Hezbollah Pagers!” – man shouts at passerbys – Confrontations outside UN at Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel Protest as Natenyahu arrived in NYC.
Video by @peterhvideo @FreedomNTV [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/tLpm4dpU1R
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) September 26, 2024
The group’s social media posts outlined plans for additional demonstrations, with a larger “Central Rally” scheduled for 6 p.m. at Pershing Square, located at East 42nd Street and Park Avenue. The protests were designed to draw attention to what the group described as Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon, and to call for an end to U.S. support for Israel’s military activities, The Post report explained. Within Our Lifetime has been known for its vocal opposition to Israeli policies, and this protest was no exception, featuring the group’s typical blend of loud, defiant rhetoric and public demonstrations.
As part of its broader agenda, Within Our Lifetime also took aim at New York City Mayor Eric Adams, calling for his resignation. According to posts on the group’s X (formerly Twitter) account, they referred to Adams as a “Zionist cop mayor” and linked his leadership to broader allegations of corruption, The Post report said. This was in reference to the recent indictment of Adams, which has stirred political controversy across the city. The group claimed that Adams’ “crime is not just corruption,” tying his alleged political failings to their opposition against Israel.
Protest headed uptown on 3rd Avenue; towards UN. Whole Avenue closed down. pic.twitter.com/2j6GF0KFVj
— Anthony Verias (@VeriasA) September 26, 2024
The New York Post highlighted that these attacks on Adams were part of a broader attempt by the group to connect local political figures to their grievances against Israeli policies. By linking Adams’ alleged corruption to their anti-Israel stance, Within Our Lifetime sought to amplify their call for systemic change not only in the U.S. government’s support for Israel but also in local leadership.
HAPPENING NOW IN NYC!
An absolutely MASSIVE protest in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon near the UN headquarters.
Protesters are demanding the arrest of butcher Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes against humanity!
🇵🇸🇱🇧🇵🇸🇱🇧🇵🇸🇱🇧🇵🇸🇱🇧🇵🇸🇱🇧🇵🇸🇱🇧pic.twitter.com/2cxypOW8Ij
— sarah (@sahouraxo) September 26, 2024
The protest and subsequent arrests are part of an ongoing series of demonstrations by Within Our Lifetime, which has consistently taken to the streets to oppose what they describe as the oppression of Palestinian people. The group’s ability to organize large, public demonstrations—and the continued presence of police response—illustrates the tension surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even in major U.S. cities like New York.
