New York mayor's allies arrested during protest ahead of Netanyahu's UN address
Several progressive officials and activists were detained after blocking traffic near the UN as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would not join the demonstration.
Several of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's progressive allies were arrested Thursday after blocking First Avenue near the United Nations headquarters. The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, included City Councilmember Chi Ossé, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Democratic Socialist co-chair Gustavo Gordillo and congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, who carried "End the Genocide" signs. Police said more than 100 protesters were taken into custody, among them actress Susan Sarandon, comedian Caleb Hearon and former Army intelligence officer Chelsea Manning.
Mamdani, who has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal, said he would not join the street protest but affirmed his support for peaceful demonstrations. Shortly before Netanyahu's speech to the UN General Assembly, Mamdani released a video showing him dining with Palestinian families at Gracie Mansion and planting an olive tree.
In his address, Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide and criticized Mamdani, referring to the mayor as "the antisemitic mayor of New York" and accusing him of trying to silence the Israeli leader.
Mayor Mamdani later issued a statement calling Netanyahu's remarks "baseless lies" and noted the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister. Pro-Palestinian groups said they would continue protests later in the day, while some Jewish organizations held a rally against antisemitism earlier in the week.