Pro-Hamas Protests Grip NYC:  Alec Baldwin Targeted by Demonstrators Calling for End to Israel 

Edited by: Fern Sidman

New York City became the backdrop for intense protests on Monday evening as hundreds of demonstrators flooded Penn Station and Grand Central Station, expressing their vehement opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza against Hamas, as was reported by the New York Post, The protest took an unexpected turn when actor Alec Baldwin, known for his role in “30 Rock,” found himself targeted by anti-Israel protesters who accused him of supporting Israel, the report added.

“That’s a stupid question…”

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin refuses to condemn Israel and squares up to pro-Palestinian protestors in New York. pic.twitter.com/82Y3viJbdV

— Lowkey (@Lowkey0nline) December 18, 2023

The protest, marked by bellicose demonstrators and anti-Israel slogans, saw a significant presence at major transit hubs, including Penn Station and Grand Central Station. The Post report indicated that as tensions flared, Baldwin, a prominent figure, became the focus of the protesters’ ire.

Now, the target is Alec Baldwin.

Apparently, no matter what your politics, you can never please the people who demand that you join a movement that they discovered only two months ago when Hamas terrorists massacred 1400 Israelis. pic.twitter.com/JAslZyRydI

— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) December 19, 2023

Alec Baldwin, walking near West 29th Street, was quickly spotted by protesters who accused him of supporting Israel. The actor engaged in a heated exchange with the group, standing his ground amid accusations and verbal clashes, according to the Post report. The exchange escalated as one protester shouted profanities at Baldwin, highlighting the charged atmosphere of the demonstration.

🚨RIGHT NOW: Vicious pro-Hamas ‘protestors’ and NYPD stand-off outside Donna Karan’s IDF fundraiser! (Greenwich Str NYC)

Watch the end: Alec Baldwin is terrorized by these ‘protestors’.

👉LIKE & REPOST to tell NYPD to get the nightsticks out.

👉Follow to FIGHT with us! pic.twitter.com/yR2CuUkpFG

— Shirion Collective (@ShirionOrg) December 19, 2023

When asked if he condemned Israel, Baldwin responded, “No, I support peace for Gaza.” This response did not appease the protesters, and the confrontation continued. As per the Post report, the incident concluded as Baldwin managed to move through a nearby door, leaving the scene amidst taunts about his purported career decline.

#Palestine #Israel protest on 9th ave midtown NYC right now with large police motorcade escort pic.twitter.com/mD7Xofafyr

— Dante Fiallo (@DanteFiallo) December 18, 2023

 As tensions outside Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station rose, protesters sought entry despite efforts by law enforcement to erect barricades, the Post reported.  Some genuine riders were also affected as access to certain entrances was restricted. Demonstrators, determined to make their voices heard, eventually broke into the train hall, chanting “cease-fire now.”

Inconvenienced travelers, awaiting trains with suitcases in tow, found themselves caught in the middle of the demonstration. While some expressed concerns about delays, others, like Donna Pritchard from Utica, took a more relaxed stance, stating, “As long as it’s peaceful, I’m good,” the report in the Post said.

Entering Moynihan Train Hall,
Pennsylvania Station

GLOBAL STRIKE FOR GAZA!
New York, NY
5:00pm, Monday, December 18, 2023.https://t.co/x20ld7nPRN#CeasefireNOW #SaveGaza #FreePalestine #nyc nyc
h/t: @protest_nyc

THREAD
1/ pic.twitter.com/ayfU0k0dKf

— DataInput (@datainput) December 18, 2023

The protest continued in the streets, marked by the waving of Palestinian flags and at least one arrest reported on the corner of West 29th Street and 7th Avenue. The circumstances leading to the arrest remain unclear, underscoring the dynamic and complex nature of the protests. The Post report noted that the atmosphere remained charged, reflecting the deep-seated animus that the pro-Hamas protesters have towards Israel.

The protests, fueled by recent events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also took place at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Manhattan’s west side.

NYC: a citywide protest for Gaza begins from 3pm today pic.twitter.com/E28p9R6j86

— Writers Against the War on Gaza (@wawog_now) December 18, 2023

Before entering Penn Station, Nerdeen Kiswani, a protest organizer with Within Our Lifetime, urged demonstrators to voice their support for Palestine within the city’s subway system. mphasizing the impact of educating others, Kiswani encouraged protesters to be vocal on subway cars, stating, “you never know who you’ll educate that day,” the Post report said. The subway activism reflects the protesters’ commitment to intimidating as many people as possible.

Earlier in the day, protesters entered the main hall at Grand Central Station, chanting in solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza as Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad issued warnings about potential access restrictions due to demonstrations, according to the Post report. The city’s emergency notification system also advised people to anticipate traffic delays near Grand Central and seek alternative routes.

Protesters briefly descended outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal, positioning themselves in the middle of 42nd Street. Holding signs with messages such as “USA loves genocide” and “Zionism is terrorism,” demonstrators vocalized their opposition, shouting slogans like “Israel, go to hell” and addressing President Joe Biden, the report in the Post said.

Pro-Hamas protests in New York City have intensified over the last two months in response to recent events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The demonstrations were triggered by actions taken by Hamas terrorists who brutally slaughtered over 1200 Israelis and others in a premeditated invasion of southern Israel on October 7. Additionally, 240 Israelis and others were abducted by Hamas and were held captive in Gaza.  Currently, Hamas is still holding 137 hostages with no concrete plans to release them.