Nearly 100 Arrested in Modern York City Protest Against U.S. Arms Sales to Israel
Dozens of protesters were taken into custody in New York City on Monday, April 13, 2026, during a demonstration urging Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to block the sale of U.S. Bombs to Israel. The protest, led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), escalated from an attempted sit-in to a traffic-blocking demonstration on Third Avenue, resulting in approximately 90 to 100 arrests.
Details of the Manhattan Demonstration
The crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the Manhattan offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. Protesters accused the two lawmakers of abetting Israel’s intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. After security blocked their entry into the building, the group moved into the street on Third Avenue.
Demonstrators wore shirts reading “Fund People, Not Bombs” and carried banners with slogans such as “Fund Healthcare Not Warfare” and “Stop Arming Israel.” According to reports, police repeatedly warned the crowd to clear the roadway before taking them into custody on disorderly conduct charges, with some protesters being physically carried away from the street and loaded onto three buses [3].
Notable Figures Detained
A spokesperson for Jewish Voice for Peace confirmed that several high-profile individuals were among the 90 people taken into custody, including:
- Chelsea Manning: Whistleblower
- Hari Nef: Actor
- Alexa Avilés: New York City Council Member
The Political Driver: The Sanders Resolutions
The demonstration focused on a set of resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont. These resolutions aim to block the sale of more than $600 million in bombs to Israel [1].
While similar measures introduced by Sanders in the past have failed, a more recent effort from this past summer garnered support from more than half of Senate Democrats, driven by widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Yet, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand were not among those who supported the measure [4].
- The Event: A protest on April 13, 2026, targeting the offices of Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
- The Goal: To pressure lawmakers to block over $600 million in U.S. Bomb sales to Israel.
- The Outcome: Around 100 arrests on disorderly conduct charges after protesters blocked Third Avenue.
- The Conflict: Protesters cited Israel’s offensive in southern Lebanon and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran as primary reasons for the demonstration.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This protest occurs amid rising political tensions regarding U.S. Foreign policy in the Middle East. The demonstration comes ahead of an anticipated Senate vote on measures to block military assistance and arms sales to Israel, reflecting a growing divide between activists, some lawmakers, and the current administration’s policy [3].
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the protesters arrested?
Protesters were arrested on disorderly conduct charges after they blocked traffic on Third Avenue in Midtown Manhattan following a failed attempt to hold a sit-in inside the senators’ offices.
Who led the protest?
The demonstration was led by the antiwar organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP).
What specific policy are the protesters opposing?
They are opposing the sale of thousands of U.S. Bombs to Israel, specifically focusing on resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders to block over $600 million in weapons sales.
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