NEW YORK (WABC) – A vigil was held in Central Park in memory of those killed and missing in the Hamas attack on October 7 last year as a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through the streets of Manhattan on Monday night. It was held at
Several people were arrested during protests in New York to coincide with the Oct. 7 anniversary, according to the New York City Police Department.
Protesters marched across lower Manhattan, from Wall Street to City Hall, from Washington Square to Union Square, as well as Times Square and Grand Central before converging on Madison Square Park.
When counter-protesters appeared on Wall Street, they added to the smoldering anger from the beginning, creating conflict and hostility. There, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators unfurled a giant Palestinian flag in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
“It’s important for us too that we’re not afraid to come here today just because they don’t want us to. If it’s up to the other side, we won’t allow any protests at all." It will not be done,” said protest organizer Nadeem Kiswani.
However, they encountered pro-Israel demonstrators.
“I live here, my children go to school here, and the conditions are terrible. We are Israelis and we feel very unsafe,” said Paul, a pro-Israel protester. Ta. “I may sound confident, but I’m shaking. I can’t believe this is my city and this is happening.”
A large crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators headed to Union Square Park Monday night and appeared to grow in size before heading north.
Joe Torres gave an update on the pro-Palestinian protests held in Union Square Park to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel.
The protest briefly stopped at the New York Public Library’s Bryant Park, with some heading to Moynihan Train Hall.
Kemberly Richardson provides live coverage of the peaceful demonstrations that swarm the streets leading to Grand Central.
Hundreds of demonstrators later gathered in Madison Square Park, determined to shift the focus from a solemn day of mourning to a day of anger.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrator Fahd Kiani said: “Why is today the day that everyone came here to protest? The consequences of this day will lead to genocide, lead to starvation, lead to destruction. It’s the day that led to this.” “We have been protesting peacefully. There have been no violent incidents, but no one is listening to our voices.”
Members of the Jewish community held a candle-lighting ceremony in Central Park Monday night with music and prayers in memory of those killed on Oct. 7. The governor, mayor, and families of the hostages were scheduled to attend.
New York City police officials separated the two groups during a mostly peaceful night of protests and prayers.
Broken windows, red paint and spray-painted graffiti including “Dive Now” were discovered Monday morning at the City University Center for Advanced Science Research on the City University of New York campus in Hamilton Heights. This was in response to the incident.
CUNY released a statement condemning the “violent vandalism and hateful rhetoric that occurred at two locations on our campus,” and disciplinary action will be taken if members of the CUNY community are found responsible. He said he would not hesitate to do so.
Governor Kathy Hochul responded to the vandalism incident in a post on X, saying she was “outraged by today’s incident of vandalism on a college campus.”
“New York does not tolerate anti-Semitism or hatred of any kind,” she said.
The governor said he has increased the presence of state police at high-profile locations across New York and offered assistance to the NYPD and the City University of New York to ensure the safety of all students.
College campuses have long been the scene of protests, and it happened again at Columbia University, where barricades separated groups.
Security at the Quad was tightened on Monday after a mass encampment was set up last semester and a group subsequently broke into and occupied the building.
Mayor Eric Adams said Monday morning: “People have a right to protest, but they don’t have a right to destroy our city. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power.” “I’m going to be out here this morning and tonight to make sure this city continues to move in the right direction.”
Also read: Israel marks one year since October 7 Hamas attack
Josh Einiger gives updates in Tel Aviv
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