New York (WAPEC) — A vigil to commemorate those killed and missing in last year’s Hamas attack will be held on October 7, within walking distance of a pro-Palestinian march on Monday night.
The New York Police said that two people were arrested during a protest in New York coinciding with the anniversary of October 7.
The demonstrators marched from Wall Street to City Hall to Washington Square Park to Union Square and were headed to Times Square, Grand Central and eventually Columbus Circle.
Simmering anger was added to the mix from the beginning when counter-protesters showed up on Wall Street – leading to confrontation and hostility. There, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators raised a huge Palestinian flag in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
Protest organizer Nerdin Keswani said: “It is also important for us not to be afraid to come out here today just because they don’t want us to do so, and if it were up to the other side we would never be allowed to protest at all.”
But they came face to face with pro-Israel protesters.
A pro-Israel demonstrator named Paul said: “I live here, and my children go to school in an apartment building here. The situation is terrible. We are Israelis and the situation is not safe at all.” “I may look confident to you, but I’m shaking. I can’t believe this is my city, and this is happening.”
The large crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters headed to Union Square Park on Monday evening and their numbers appear to be growing.
Joe Torres has the latest on the pro-Palestinian protest in Union Square Park marking the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel.
At 6 p.m. in Central Park, a candle lighting ceremony will be held with members of the Jewish community to commemorate those killed on October 7 with music and prayer. The governor, mayor, hostage families and others are expected to attend.
NYPD officials plan to keep the two groups separate in what is expected to be the culmination of a tense day of protests and prayers.
This comes after smashed windows, red paint and graffiti including the phrase “PULL NOW” were discovered spray-painted on the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center on the City College of New York campus in Hamilton Heights on Monday morning.
The City University of New York issued a statement saying it condemns “the violent vandalism and hate speech that occurred at two of our campuses,” and said they would not hesitate to impose disciplinary action if any members of the New York City community are found responsible.
College campuses have long been a place for protests, and this was the case again at Columbia University where barriers separated groups.
Security was tightened at the plaza on Monday after a group camp last semester was followed by groups storming and occupying one of the buildings.
“People have the right to protest but they don’t have the right to destroy our city and that’s why we have all hands on deck,” Mayor Eric Adams said Monday morning. “I will be here this morning, this evening to also be a part of making sure this city continues to move forward in the right direction.”
Read also: Israel marks one year since Hamas attack on October 7
Josh Eniger has the latest news in Tel Aviv
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