Police arrested more than 200 pro-Palestinian protestors, belonging to different activist groups. The demonstrators were arrested after they staged a sit-in outside the New York Stock Exchange on Monday to demand an end to US support for Israel‘s war in Gaza, authorities said.
Although none of the demonstrators entered the building, dozens crossed a police barrier set up on Broad Street.Police confirmed that 206 arrests were made, while protest organisers estimated around 500 attendees. The stock exchange has not commented on the protest.
The protesters raised slogans in solidarity with Palestine and chanted “let Gaza live” and “stop funding genocide” in front of the exchange’s iconic building near Wall Street, in lower Manhattan.
The demonstration targeted US defence contractors and weapons manufacturers, with some protesters also condemning Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Meanwhile, there was a smaller group of pro-Israel counter-protesters at the site, waving Israeli flags.
“(Hundreds) of Jews and friends are shutting down the New York Stock Exchange to demand the US stop arming Israel and profiting from genocide,” Jewish Voice for Peace said on X. Israel denies genocide allegations at the World Court, and says its military operations in Gaza target Hamas militants.
This protest is part of growing dissent against US support for Israel, which was launched after Hamas’ October 7 attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, resulting in nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement, according to Gaza health officials.
