A mass protest titled "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" saw hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators taking over the Grand Central Terminal, resulting in its closure. The protesters, expressing opposition to the Jewish state, set fire to an Israeli flag at Columbus Circle, chanted anti-Israel slogans, and marked the New York Times building with simulated blood during their march through Manhattan, according to the New York Post.

“We don’t want a Jewish state. We want ’48!” was among the chants at the start, referring to Palestine before Israel’s establishment. The crowd also yelled, “Settlers, settlers go back home! Palestine is ours alone!” and “It is right to rebel.”

The protest encountered a small group of Israeli supporters. Gregory Jachts, a Bergen County resident, found the chants calling for the elimination of Israel offensive. “They were chanting from the river to the sea and that calls for the elimination of Israel and the genocide of the Jews,” said Jachts, who is not Jewish but has family in Israel, as reported by the New York Post.

Approximately 2,000 protesters proceeded eastward on 59th Street from Columbus Circle, affixing stickers conveying messages such as "Zionism is terrorism" and "Israel is committing genocide in Gaza" onto the windows of the Dior store along 5th Avenue. Midtown resident Anna Ahmed, displaying a Palestinian flag, advocated for an end to violence. She referenced Israel's occupation since 1948 and alleged attacks on children and hospitals to underscore her plea.

“Since ’48 Israel came and occupied Palestine. Since that day and today, they’re killing kids and children. Every day they’re bombing hospitals, kids and schools, and houses,” she said.

The Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives since Israel responded to Hamas' October 7 attack, which caused approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties. Demonstrators utilized the Museum of Modern Art building to project messages such as "Palestine will be free," "Cease apartheid," "Cease funding Israel," and "Cease Imperialism," according to information from the New York Post.

The group continued their demonstration by heading to Times Square, expressing dissatisfaction at Starbucks locations on 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue. Confrontations ensued at Starbucks stores during the protest, marked by chants accusing the company of endorsing "genocide." The New York Times building witnessed the splattering of fake blood as a result of Thursday's takeover by pro-Palestinian protesters. The march then progressed to Grand Central Terminal, where efforts were made to forcibly enter, resulting in cracked glass and subsequent arrests.

Due to the ongoing demonstration, entrances to Grand Central were shut, mirroring a disruption experienced last month. Law enforcement made several arrests and actively worked to disperse the remaining protesters.

In the vicinity of Lexington Avenue and 43rd Street during Friday night's demonstration, the police arrested at least one individual. Although law enforcement acknowledged multiple arrests, a final count was not disclosed, according to the report by the New York Post.

Image source: ANI