Dozens Arrested in NYC Protest Targeting U.S. Arms to Israel

Dozens of protesters were detained by police in New York City on Monday during a demonstration calling for the United States to block arms sales to Israel, with the action centered near the Manhattan offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The protest was part of a broader push to stop a proposed U.S. bomb sale to Israel valued at roughly $600–660 million, as demonstrators sought to pressure the two Democratic senators to support legislative efforts led by Senator Bernie Sanders to block the transfer.

According to the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, around 90 protesters were detained, while police said there were “multiple” arrests but did not provide an official figure.

The demonstration began as an attempted sit-in inside the senators’ offices, but after being denied entry, protesters moved outside and blocked traffic along Third Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Hundreds took part in the protest, which disrupted the area for a short period before police moved in to make arrests.

Among those detained was whistleblower Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army soldier and WikiLeaks source. Reports also identified actor Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés among those taken into custody.

Protesters chanted “stop the bombs” as they called for an end to U.S. military support for Israel and voiced opposition to Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

At the same time, the Trump administration has taken steps to crack down on protests, including efforts to deport foreign students involved in demonstrations, threats to freeze funding for universities where protests have taken place, and expanded screening of immigrants’ online activity. Several of these measures have faced challenges in U.S. courts.

New York City has remained a focal point for pro-Palestinian demonstrations since 2024, with repeated protests targeting U.S. policy toward Israel as the conflict continues.