Over 200 Arrested in Pro-Palestinian Protest Outside New York Stock Exchange
On October 14, 2024, more than 200 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested during a sit-in outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Manhattan. This demonstration was organized to call for an end to U.S. support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Protesters, many affiliated with activist organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace, chanted slogans including "Let Gaza Live" and "Stop Funding Genocide."
The New York Police Department reported that 206 individuals were arrested during the protest, although some Jewish groups estimated that around 500 people participated. While none of the demonstrators entered the stock exchange, many managed to breach a police security fence set up around the building. The NYSE has not publicly commented on the incident.
The protesters expressed their anger not only at the U.S. government's military support for Israel but also targeted American defense contractors and arms manufacturers. Many demonstrators voiced their opposition to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which have intensified recently, leading to the assassination of several Hezbollah leaders. Jewish Voice for Peace stated, "Hundreds of Jews and friends are shutting down the New York Stock Exchange to demand that the United States stop arming Israel and profiting from genocide."
In contrast to the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, a small group of pro-Israel supporters were present at the site, waving Israeli flags. This protest marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly in light of the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict in Gaza, where over 42,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and nearly the entire population displaced, according to health officials in the region.
