A massive pro-Palestinian rally with thousands of protesters is taking place in Midtown, Manhattan on Friday, calling for a cease-fire to the crisis in the Middle East.
Quick Read
- Thousands of protesters gathered in Midtown, Manhattan for a massive pro-Palestinian rally, advocating for a cease-fire in the Middle East.
- The rally started in Union Square and merged with another group at the New York Public Library.
- A large police presence was noted, with a platoon of officers at the library.
- Protesters marched to Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, causing significant traffic disruption during the evening rush.
- Access to Grand Central was temporarily restricted due to the demonstration but has since reopened.
- The protests have remained peaceful.
- Katie Halper, a Jewish woman, spoke in support of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, criticizing the violence and its impact on civilians.
The Associated Press has the story:
Pro-Palestinian protesters march in Manhattan, call for ceasefire in Gaza
Newslooks- MIDTOWN, Manhattan (AP)
A massive pro-Palestinian rally with thousands of protesters is taking place in Midtown, Manhattan on Friday, calling for a cease-fire to the crisis in the Middle East.
NewsCopter 7 was over the group that started in Union Square and then joined another group that was protesting at the New York Public Library.
The group at the library was so massive, a platoon of officers patrolled out front.
The crowd blocked traffic as the protestors then marched downtown to Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station.
The protests has been peaceful so far, but there was a significant back up of traffic as demonstrators marched in the streets during the height of the evening rush.
North end Grand Central access has reopened after doorways were restricted because of a demonstration in the area.
One Jewish woman spoke to about why she chose to support the pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
“The irony is if Israel is claiming this is a question of security, they are creating so much more violence because if you want to radicalize people, it’s amazing PR to see innocent children, women, civilians being eviscerated by bombs, losing their limbs,” protester Katie Halper said.
Friday marks another night of large-scale demonstrations in New York City since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel launched its counteroffensive.
As the Israel-Hamas war rages in Gaza, there’s a bitter battle for public opinion flaring in New York City with angry rallies on many college campuses and disruptive protests.
At least two protests in previous weeks led to disruptions at Grand Central Terminal, with officials canceling train services for hours and closing the station’s main concourse.
Pro-Palestinian activists had originally organized a rally at Union Square.
“The past month has marked a new chapter of struggle in the battle for Palestinian freedom in New York City,” an Instagram post promoting the march read.
Demonstrators from the Union Square march had joined the Midtown demonstration.
