Demonstrations in front of the New York Stock Exchange: 206 arrests following protest against US support for Israel

In a remarkable act of civil disobedience, over 200 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in front of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday to protest against the U.S. support for Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. During this sit-in, organized by groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace, chants like 'Let Gaza Live' and 'Stop Funding Genocide' echoed in front of the iconic building on Wall Street. Although the protesters did not manage to enter the stock exchange building, numerous participants crossed the police barricade set up on Broad Street. A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest of 206 individuals but provided no further details. According to the Jewish groups involved, the demonstration counted about 500 participants. The stock exchange initially did not provide a statement. The demonstrators primarily directed their anger at American defense companies, while others chanted slogans against Israeli military actions in Lebanon, where Israel claims to be fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militias. Meanwhile, a smaller group of pro-Israel counter-demonstrators was also present, waving Israeli flags. This protest was part of a wave of outrage over the American support for Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, which, according to Israeli sources, was a response to the killing of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 individuals by Hamas on October 7, 2023. According to Palestinian health authorities, the subsequent military offensive in Gaza resulted in the death of nearly 42,000 people and the displacement of almost the entire population.