Pro-Palestinian Protests in NYC Lead to Arrests as Tensions in the Middle East Rise Again

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology on Tuesday night, resulting in arrests made by the police. The protest began in Union Square, where hundreds of people called for a cease-fire as Israel entered the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The total number of arrests made during this demonstration is currently unknown. Chopper 2’s Dan Rice also noticed part of the encampment being taken down. Celeste Faison, executive director of Movement for Black Lives, highlighted the growth of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in New York due to recent developments in the conflict and images from college campuses.

Faison emphasized that protests aim to disrupt the status quo and raise awareness about repression. Layan Fuleihan, a protest organizer, echoed this sentiment by stating that organizing and coming together can be powerful in effecting change. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams announced a reward of $5,000 for information on vandals who defaced a World War I statue on the Upper East Side, believed to be connected to the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who disrupted the Met Gala recently.

During the Met Gala, more than two dozen people were arrested for clashing with police, burning the American flag, and rushing barricades. The protests in the city continue to highlight the ongoing tensions and political pressures surrounding the conflict in the Middle East.