Around 200 protesters were arrested outside the New York Stock Exchange on Monday while demonstrating against Israel’s war in Gaza. The protesters were chanting phrases such as “Let Gaza live!” and ”Up up with liberation, down down with occupation!” in front of the stock exchange’s landmark building in lower Manhattan. The demonstration was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, with the goal of demanding that the U.S. government stop sending bombs to Israel and profiting off of Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza. According to Beth Miller, the political director of the group, Israel has been using U.S. bombs to massacre communities in Gaza, while weapons manufacturers on Wall Street have been benefiting from this conflict.
Despite the presence of a handful of counterprotesters waving Israeli flags and attempting to shout down the pro-Palestinian chants, none of the pro-Palestinian protesters managed to gain entry into the stock exchange. However, around 200 protesters were able to make it inside a security fence on Broad Street, where they sat down and awaited their arrest. The spokesperson for the exchange declined to comment on the protest, and the police proceeded to arrest the protesters one by one, using plastic ties to cuff their hands behind their backs and leading them to vans. Some demonstrators even went limp, requiring multiple officers to carry them away. The police spokesperson confirmed that approximately 200 arrests were made, but details regarding the charges they faced were not provided.
The protest occurred just a week after the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel last year, which led to Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza. The conflict has since spread to Lebanon and other areas, with reports from the Lebanese Red Cross stating that an Israeli airstrike had hit an apartment building in northern Lebanon on the same day as the protest. The strike resulted in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, but no immediate comment was given by the Israeli military regarding the target or circumstances of the attack. The ongoing tensions in the region have fueled protests worldwide, with activists calling for an end to the violence and for international intervention to protect civilians in Gaza and beyond.
The New York Stock Exchange protest drew attention to the controversial issues surrounding the conflict in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Demonstrators highlighted the role of the U.S. in providing military support to Israel and the economic interests that benefit from arms sales and warfare in the region. The call to end the sending of bombs to Israel and to stop profiting from the violence reflected a growing sentiment among activists who seek to hold governments and corporations accountable for their complicity in human rights abuses and mass displacement. The clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli supporters outside the stock exchange symbolized the deep divides in public opinion regarding the conflict, with emotions running high and both sides seeking to make their voices heard in a tense and polarized atmosphere.
The arrests of the protesters by the police underscored the challenges faced by those engaging in civil disobedience to raise awareness about the Israeli military actions in Gaza. Despite the risks of arrest and potential charges, the demonstrators remained steadfast in their commitment to speaking out against what they see as injustices perpetuated by the Israeli government and its supporters. The willingness of activists to take direct action and face legal consequences signifies a growing movement of solidarity with Palestinians and a demand for accountability from global powers that have the ability to influence the course of the conflict. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, protests like the one at the New York Stock Exchange serve as a reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and the protection of civilians caught in the crossfire of a protracted and devastating conflict.
