Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters flooded the streets of Lower Manhattan, clashing with police as some climbed atop Wall Street’s famous Bull statue, defacing it with “death to Israel.”
On Thursday night, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Union Square before heading to the financial district to condemn US military aid to Israel. The ‘Emergency Action for Gaza’ rally targeted Governor Kathy Hochul of New York as she delivered remarks at a Wall Street restaurant.
Video footage captured the chaotic scene, as protesters were seen climbing the Charging Bull statue and defacing it with the message “Death to Israel,” using a black marker to etch graffiti behind the bull’s ear.
Photos shared on social media revealed ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti scrawled across his face.
Amid the chaos, protesters brazenly challenged police officers, with a woman in a hijab repeatedly urging officers to “hit me.”
As the protest moved toward City Hall, eight protesters were issued citations for disorderly conduct. At least one faces charges of resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration.
Video footage captured the chaotic scene, as protesters were seen climbing the Charging Bull statue and defacing it with the message “Death to Israel,” using a black marker to etch graffiti behind the bull’s ear.
Photos shared on social media revealed ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti scrawled across his face.
As the protest moved toward City Hall, eight protesters were issued citations for disorderly conduct. One of them faces charges of resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration.
Amid the chaos, protesters brazenly challenged police officers, with a woman in a hijab repeatedly urging officers to “hit me.”
They marched towards Cipriani Wall Street, where Governor Hochul was expected. At least one protester was detained near Cipriani.
Some protesters, ignoring police orders to clear the streets and walk on sidewalks, fell to the ground and were restrained by officers before being taken away in police vans.
Within Our Lifetime organizer Nerdeen Kiswani addressed the crowd outside Cipriani.
Kiswani criticized Governor Hochul for her previous comments expressing support for actions against Gaza, the New York Times.
“Children are starting to die, they have been dying from the bombs and bullets that Israel threw at them, but now they are dying of hunger,” Kiswani said.
At least one faces charges of resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration.
On Thursday night, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Union Square before heading to the financial district to condemn US military aid to Israel.
Police detain some protesters during the protest by pro-Palestinian demonstrators who condemned Israel.
The ‘Emergency Action for Gaza’ rally targeted Governor Kathy Hochul of New York as she delivered remarks at a Wall Street restaurant.
Palestinian protesters condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and directed their anger at US President Joe Biden, chanting: “Joe genocide has to end.”
Protesters chanted slogans condemning Hochul and President Biden. ‘Kathy Hochul, you can’t hide, you support genocide,’ they shouted.
Earlier in Union Square, protesters condemned Israeli aggression and highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The kiffeya-clad protesters directed their anger at President Biden and chanted, “Genocide Joe has to end.”
Demonstration organizers symbolized the food shortage in Gaza by throwing flour on the ground.
Protesters also honored the recent self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell, who burned himself alive to protest Israel, with some carrying signs that read “RIP Aaron Bushnell.”
“Some may see his act of self-immolation as an extreme political act,” Kiswani said. “But he himself said it’s nothing extreme compared to what the people of Gaza have had to endure.”
Members of the New York City Police Department arrest pro-Palestinian protesters during a march near City Hall.