Protest March Brings Manhattan to a Standstill

On a Monday night, the streets of Manhattan were flooded with protesters. They were there to mark the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on October 7. The marchers, mostly pro-Palestinian, started their journey from Wall Street, heading towards City Hall, Washington Square, and Union Square. They even walked through Times Square and Grand Central before ending up at Madison Square Park. From the get-go, tensions ran high. Counter-protesters, mainly pro-Israel, showed up at Wall Street. This led to heated exchanges and an overall tense atmosphere. One of the organizers, Nerdeen Kiswani, emphasized the importance of not being intimidated despite the opposition. Meanwhile, Paul, a pro-Israel protester, expressed his unease, saying, "I can't believe this is my city, this happening. " The crowd grew larger as they moved towards Union Square Park. There, they paused briefly at Bryant Park before splitting up. Some headed to Moynihan Train Hall, while others continued to Grand Central. The protest aimed to shift the focus from remembrance to outrage. Fahad Kiani, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator, highlighted the peaceful nature of the protests and the need for their voices to be heard.Simultaneously, in Central Park, a candlelight ceremony was held to remember those lost in the October 7 attacks. This event was attended by prominent figures like the governor and the mayor. The NYPD ensured both groups remained separate, maintaining overall peace. Earlier in the day, vandalism was discovered on the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. Windows were smashed, red paint splattered, and graffiti reading "divest now" was found. CUNY condemned these acts and promised disciplinary action if responsible parties were found. Governor Kathy Hochul responded swiftly, offering increased State Police presence and support to keep campuses safe. University campuses, known for their protest history, saw similar scenes. At Columbia University, barricades were set up to keep groups apart. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of peaceful protests and the city's forward movement.