Local lawmakers taken into custody during protest as Israeli PM speaks at UN General Assembly
Councilmembers Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were among those taken into custody as the demonstration took over First Avenue on Thursday, according to their spokespeople.
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Local lawmakers were taken into custody during a large protest in Manhattan ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.
Councilmembers Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were among those detained as the demonstration took over First Avenue, according to their spokespeople.
Jewish Voice for Peace, a grassroots movement, led the protest. According to its organizers, a number of local elected and public figures, as well as and congressional nominees, marched alongside approximately 400 New Yorkers.
The movement says it stands with Palestinians and is calling on the world to stop providing arms to Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza.
Citizen app footage of First Avenue shows the large group of protesters flooding the street, met by numerous NYPD officers.
The NYPD confirms multiple arrests were made but has not provided an exact number as of 3 p.m.
A spokesperson for Ossé says the councilmember is being held at 1 Police Plaza in lower Manhattan. No official charges have been filed.
Earlier this week, ahead of Netanyahu's arrival, tension escalated between himself and Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Other protests are expected throughout the day. Stay with News 12 for more on this developing story.
