Arrests during New York protest
Chelsea Manning among dozens detained at anti-war rally
Dozens of demonstrators were detained in New York City during protests demanding an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel and a halt to American military support for its ally. Organizers, including Jewish Voice for Peace, said roughly 90 people were held; the NYPD confirmed multiple arrests without giving a total. Among those detained was whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Crowds gathered near the Manhattan offices of Senate leaders, chanting slogans such as “stop the bombs,” “end the killings,” “free Palestine,” “let Gaza live,” “let Iran live” and “let Lebanon live.” Video from the scene showed protesters blocking streets in Midtown and confronting police, with officers making arrests after some demonstrators refused orders to disperse.
The demonstrations took place amid renewed regional hostilities that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israel and Persian Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. Those exchanges, together with Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza, have resulted in widespread casualties and displacement, prompting intense scrutiny of continued U.S. military backing for Israel and growing calls from rights groups for a sustained ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
Authorities said the police presence aimed to maintain public order while managing mass civil disobedience. Organizers framed the action as part of a broader anti-war movement pressing for diplomatic solutions rather than further military escalation. Nationally, protests over U.S. policy toward Israel have surged since 2024, and recent actions by the federal government to curb campus demonstrations have drawn legal challenges.
The New York arrests underscore escalating domestic dissent over U.S. foreign policy as activists demand concrete steps to end violence in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran and to prioritize civilian protection and humanitarian access.
