Dozens of protesters were arrested in Manhattan on Thursday as they blocked a roadway near the United Nations ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the General Assembly. Among those detained were Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for New York’s 13th Congressional District, and New York City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés, according to multiple local reports and social media posts.
The demonstration occurred at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan, where protesters sat in the roadway and refused to disperse after police issued orders to move. Roughly 80 to 100 protesters remained at the scene and were ultimately taken into custody, per reports from City & State New York and other outlets. Additional figures, including actress Susan Sarandon and comedian Caleb Heron, were also reported among those arrested, though their involvement has not been independently verified.
Avila Chevalier, who is backed by progressive groups including the Mamdani-backed organization, issued a statement following her arrest. In it, she argued that Netanyahu should face accountability at the International Criminal Court rather than addressing the UN. Her campaign posted on social media that she was arrested while participating in a peaceful protest, adding that the U.S. government’s military support for Israel contradicted domestic funding priorities.
New York City Police confirmed the arrests but did not provide further details on potential charges. The department stated that officers acted after protesters failed to comply with dispersal orders. Local outlets reported that the demonstration drew approximately 250 participants, with police making arrests as the event progressed.
The protest took place amid heightened security for Netanyahu’s visit to New York, where he was scheduled to address world leaders during the UN General Assembly. The event drew international attention, with critics of Israel’s policies organizing demonstrations to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s presence and policies.
Reactions and Statements
New York City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés, both progressive Democrats, were among those detained. Ossé represents District 39 in Brooklyn, while Avilés represents District 38 in Brooklyn. Their offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Avila Chevalier’s campaign emphasized her commitment to protesting what she described as U.S. complicity in the conflict in Gaza, stating in a social media post that federal funds allocated for military aid to Israel could instead address domestic needs such as housing and food security. The campaign did not respond to inquiries about potential legal consequences.
Police and city officials have not publicly commented on the broader implications of the arrests or whether additional charges may be filed. The incident follows a pattern of high-profile protests in New York City targeting foreign leaders and their policies, often drawing significant attention from both local and international media.