Susan Sarandon, Cynthia Nixon Arrested at NYC Protest Against Netanyahu

Dozens of protesters, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, were arrested in New York City during demonstrations coinciding with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's arrival for a brief address at the UN General Assembly. Protests began the night before, with "wanted for genocide" messages featuring Netanyahu's image projected onto the Brooklyn Bridge. Hundreds of Israeli and American demonstrators gathered at various locations in Manhattan, particularly near the UN headquarters and Union Square.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated he would not participate in the protests but confirmed city employees would not face disciplinary action for demonstrating. Shortly before Netanyahu's speech, Adams planted an olive tree at Gracie Mansion with Palestinian families who had "been forced to leave or lost their families in Gaza." Following Netanyahu's address, Adams criticized the Prime Minister, stating, "As he has done repeatedly, Prime Minister Netanyahu used his speech to repeat baseless lies intended to whitewash his genocide against the Palestinians. But no lie can change the fact that he remains the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Among those arrested near the UN were Sarandon, Nixon, Linda Sarsour, a consultant to Mayor Adams whose entry into Israel was recently denied, and Chelsea Manning, the WikiLeaks source. Also detained were Democratic congressional candidate Daryleanne Avila Chevalier and others who blocked main traffic arteries. Other notable figures present at the demonstrations included actor Elliot Page, comedian Hannah Einbinder, and congressional candidate Brad Lander.

Simultaneously, dozens of Israeli protesters organized by the "unXeptable" movement held a rally in Union Square, featuring virtual ballot boxes for symbolic voting ahead of Israeli elections and a call for political change. Speakers at the Union Square event included protest activist Ami Dror, Israeli-American peace activist Ilana Zechik, and Rabbi Sarah Rins from Congregation Emanu-El. Eyal Eshel, father of a fallen observer soldier, also attended. The "unXeptable" team stated their gathering aimed to send a message of change as Netanyahu arrived for a seven-hour visit to defend his "failures."