- Hundreds of protesters arrested at a “sit-in” in New York’s Grand Central Station.
- Protesters called for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, wearing black T-shirts with slogans.
- Banners demanded the liberation of Palestinians and an end to the Gaza bombardment.
After staging a “sit-in” at New York’s bustling Grand Central Station, hundreds of protesters were taken into custody.
They were advocating for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, dressed in black T-shirts emblazoned with slogans like ‘Ceasefire now’ and ‘Not in our name.’
Banners were displayed, calling for the liberation of Palestinians and an end to the Gaza bombardment.
“No more weapons. No more war. Ceasefire is what we’re fighting for,” they chanted, punching the air.
Banners were hung from the concourse’s sweeping staircase, and across the departures board.
“Mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living,” read one.
The New York Police Department reported detaining over 200 demonstrators during the rally, resulting in a temporary shutdown of the station.
The protest was organized by the antiwar organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), which claimed that the actual number of arrests exceeded 300.
Photographs and videos circulating depicted police officers within the station, with numerous protesters having their hands restrained behind their backs.
According to JVP, several thousand individuals participated in what they termed an “emergency sit-in.”
“HUNDREDS OF JEWS AND ALLIES ARE GETTING ARRESTED IN WHAT IS LIKELY THE BIGGEST MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE NYC HAS SEEN IN TWO DECADES,” the group wrote in a post on Instagram.
A very long line of Jews in cuffs going into a very long line of NYPD commandeered buses after taking over Grand Central Station for Gaza #CeasefireNOW @jvplive @IfNotNowOrg @JFREJNYC pic.twitter.com/XyUg8j6EXX
— Rafael Shimunov (@rafaelshimunov) October 28, 2023
Jews have taken over New York’s Grand Central Station to demand #CeasefireNOW and rights for #Palestinians. Thanks @JvpAction @jvplive @jvpliveNY!! pic.twitter.com/vce42tiOvn
— Nora Lester Murad (@NoraInPalestine) October 27, 2023
The event commenced with Rabbis lighting Shabbat candles and reciting the Jewish mourning prayer, the kaddish.
“While Shabbat is typically a day of rest, we cannot afford to rest while genocide is unfolding in our names,” Rabbi May Ye, was quoted as saying in a statement released by the organizers.
“The lives of Palestinians and Israelis are intertwined, and safety can only come from justice, equality, and freedom for all,” the rabbi said.
The New York rally occurred shortly after Israel announced an escalation of its military operations, including air and ground attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip, as well as the disruption of communication networks.
This recent wave of violence began when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,400 people and the capture of around 200 Israelis and foreigners.
In response, Israel declared war and initiated a sustained bombardment of the Gaza Strip, a densely populated area with approximately 2.3 million residents.
As a result, the attacks have led to the tragic loss of at least 7,326 Palestinian lives.
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