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Police arrested at least 30 people, including actors and politicians, during a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday.
The arrests came shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 81st UN General Assembly.
Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon, Emmy-winning actor Hannah Einbinder, Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Ossé were among those arrested, according to Reuters.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) organised the protest. The group opposes US military support for Israel and advocates for Palestinian rights.
JVP said more than 100 protesters faced arrest. The NYPD separately reported 104 arrests and said officers issued criminal court summonses for disorderly conduct before releasing the protesters.
Around 200 protesters gathered outside the United Nations, according to Reuters.
Demonstrators wore white T-shirts displaying slogans such as “Fund people not bombs,” “No war” and “Free Palestine.”
The protesters blocked traffic on First Avenue near the UN headquarters.
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Police officers used loudspeakers to order the demonstrators off the roadway.
Some protesters moved to the sidewalks. Others remained seated in the street and continued chanting against Netanyahu.
Police then surrounded the remaining protesters and began making arrests.
Officers removed demonstrators one by one, restrained their hands and escorted them to police buses, Reuters reported.
Sarandon and Einbinder joined other prominent figures who faced arrest during the demonstration.
JVP also identified several elected officials and political candidates among those arrested, including Chevalier and Ossé.
The organisation said Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers took part in the demonstration.
JVP called the event a mass anti-war protest. The group said protesters wanted the United States to end military support for Israel and called for an end to the war in Gaza.
Those statements represent the organisers’ position.
Manijeh Moradian, a university professor who joined the demonstration, criticised Netanyahu’s appearance at the United Nations.
Moradian said protesters had a responsibility to speak out against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
She also objected to Netanyahu using the UN platform to defend Israel’s military campaign.
Her comments reflected the views of the protesters and demonstration organisers.
Netanyahu has rejected accusations that Israel’s military campaign constitutes genocide. He has defended Israel’s actions as necessary for national security and as a response to Hamas’s October 2023 attack.
The arrests took place shortly before Netanyahu delivered his address to the 81st UN General Assembly.
During the speech, Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions and responded to international criticism of his government.
Dozens of delegates walked out of the General Assembly Hall as Netanyahu began speaking, according to reports.
The protest outside the UN added to the demonstrations surrounding Netanyahu’s visit to New York.
The arrests also reflected the continuing debate in the United States over the Gaza conflict, Israel’s military campaign and Washington’s policy towards the region.
[…] Susan Sarandon Among Protesters Arrested Outside UN Over Netanyahu Speech […]