Arrests of pro-Palestine protesters could be seen Tuesday night as activists had gathered outside of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s home in New York City.
Video footage posted to X (formerly known as Twitter) circulated online of the chaotic moments hundreds of protesters could be seen being arrested by New York Police Department (NYPD) officials. Activists with the “Jewish Voices for Peace” group reportedly began to gather outside of the Democratic leader’s home on Brooklyn Street around 8 p.m. for “Seder in the Streets,” which was demanding that leaders stop arming Israel.
#NOW Hundreds gathered for “Seder in the Streets” outside of Senator Schumer’s home, shutting down Brooklyn street and risking arrests for Gaza and demanding to “Stop Arming Israel”. pic.twitter.com/xmFaBB1ck5
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 23, 2024
As the night continued, hundreds of protesters could be heard in another clip chanting “Let Gaza live” and “Free Palestine” while they surrounded a large sign that read “Jews say Stop Arming Israel.”(RELATED: Elite Universities Scale Back Operations To Cope With Surge In Pro-Palestinian Protests)
#NOW Hundreds of protesters block Brooklyn street, risking arrests, during ‘Seder in the Streets’ as they chant “Let Gaza Live” and “Free Palestine”. Their banner reads “Jews say Stop Arming Israel”.
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/LKq6knSoEu
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 24, 2024
However, the night quickly turned for the activists as a third clip, taken by freelance video journalist New York City People, was posted showing the moment officials began to warn protesters that they were about to be arrested.
“You’re blocking vehicular traffic. If you do not move or get onto the sidewalk right now, you will be arrested for disorderly conduct,” an officer stated.
Protesters appeared to ignore the warnings from officials though as many could be heard chanting “Stop funding genocide” and “Let Gaza live,” while continuing to surround the large banner. Within the third clip, officers could be seen holding zip-tie handcuffs as they waited to see what the activists would do.
MASS ARRESTS as hundreds of “Jewish voices for Peace” activists and their supporters block Brooklyn street outside @SenSchumer house, demanding to “Stop Arming Israel”.
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/EYxGMIlRx7
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 24, 2024
Shortly after, additional clips posted showed protesters in the street being arrested by officials as other activists continued to chant and bang on drums in the background. Police busses were also spotted appearing to enter in as arrests were being made, with NYPD Strategic Resources Group (SRG) assisting officers.
#NOW After a delay, presumably for lack of space, NYPD have resumed making ARRESTS at Grand Army Plaza. About 50 protesters still remain in the street. pic.twitter.com/LWEjSNob0g
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 24, 2024
More police busses arrive hundreds of arrests are being made. NYPD SRG are assisting with the arrests. pic.twitter.com/Pyo7M3BS2K
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 24, 2024
While some indicate that over a hundred arrests were made, the official amount recorded by authorities is unclear.
Protesting within the city has increased over the last week, as Columbia University students began holding demonstrations at their school since April 17, sparking other campuses to join in on the protests at other schools such as Yale University and UC Berkeley. While tensions have continued to build for NYC, Columbia University announced Tuesday that the school would be transitioning the remaining classes for the semester online as activists have remained protesting.