New York police arrested hundreds of members from the "Jewish Voice for Peace" movement during a protest against the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, held at the city's Grand Central Station. The movement stated on the platform "X": "Hundreds of Jews and their allies have been arrested in the largest collective civil disobedience seen in New York City in two decades."
The New York City Transit Authority reported that hundreds of protesters demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas closed Grand Central Station, one of the city's main transportation hubs, yesterday Friday. They noted on their website that "Grand Central Station is closed until further notice due to the protest," urging passengers to use alternative stations and to expect increased travel times.
One of the signs raised inside the building read: "Mourn the dead, and fight with all your might for the living."
Images circulated on social media showed crowds of protesters flowing from the train station to 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, with law enforcement detaining a large number of individuals. The "Jewish Voice for Peace" group, which organized the protest, shared a video on Instagram showing police at the station escorting a long line of protesters, who were wearing shirts that read "Stop the Fire Now" and "Not in Our Name," with their arms behind their backs.
The group noted in their post: "Hundreds of Jews and allies are being arrested in what is likely the largest collective civil disobedience seen in New York City in two decades."
