In social media posts, the Palestinian Youth Movement and other groups called for people to walk out of their workplaces, schools and other activities to join the demonstration.
MANHATTAN — Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters calling for the elimination of the Jewish state stormed New York City’s Grand Central Terminal Friday night, furiously banging and kicking at a locked entrance of the station that was forced to temporarily close over the chaotic demonstration.
The mob was part of a “Flood Manhattan for Gaza” protest that initially converged on Columbus Circle earlier in the evening, where they set fire to an Israeli flag and taunted a small group of counter-demonstrators before marching through Manhattan and splattering fake blood on the New York Times building.
“We don’t want a Jewish state. We want ‘48!” the anti-Israel protesters chanted at the starting point, referring to Palestine before the establishment of Israel.
“Settlers, settlers go back home! Palestine is ours alone!” the crowd yelled.
“It is right to rebel. Israel, go to hell!” others chanted.
The pro-Palestinian rally began at 5 p.m. Friday with over a thousand individuals marching through the streets. Some were seen tearing down posters of the hostages being held by Hamas fighters and crumbling them up while other demonstrators burned an Israeli flag.
“Gaza calls, we respond. Palestine will be free, because when we resist we win together. Cease genocide. Cease the siege. Cease the blockade. Cease occupation. Cease funding Israel. Cease settler colonisation. Cease Zionism. Cease imperialism,” an Instagram post from pro-Palestinian organisations, Within Our Lifetime and the City University of New York for Palestine, read.
In social media posts, the Palestinian Youth Movement and other groups called for people to walk out of their workplaces, schools and other activities to join the demonstration.
Video from the protest Friday night showed one protester climbing up a street post to tear down American flags and United Nations flags while a group of protesters gathered and cheered at the base.
“You are unlawfully in the roadway. If you remain in the roadway and refuse to use the sidewalk, you will be placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct,” a NYPD officer is heard saying into a megaphone at the demonstration.
In another video, an Israel supporter and his wife were seen walking toward Grand Central Station surrounded by NYPD officers as some pro-Palestinian activists yelled in the couple’s direction while following them. The man could be seen arguing with the mob while officers tried to keep the groups separated.
By 9 p.m., protesters had amassed outside of Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, causing authorities to close access to the station for a couple of hours. It reopened at 11:50 p.m. Friday, according to a Notify NYC alert. — Agencies
