New York police on Monday detained around 100 people protesting against the sales of arms and military support from the US to its ally Israel. Organized by the pro-Palestinian group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the protest also led to the detention of whistleblower Chelsea Manning, a former US Army soldier and WikiLeaks source.Around 200 protesters gathered around a major avenue in Manhattan near the offices of Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer and his colleague Kristen Gillibrand, whom they accused of voting against a measure which could have resulted in blocking US arms sales to Israel.
With “Free Palestine,” “stop the bombs” and “end the killings” chants through the streets of New York for around an hour, the protesters demanded peace in the disturbed regions of West Asia. They also expressed their opposition to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and Israel’s assault on Gaza with slogans like “let Gaza live,” “let Iran live” and “let Lebanon live”.“Our actions matter in shaping the course of history. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have repeatedly supported weapons sales to Israel that are being used to commit atrocities across Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran. We call on Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to follow the will of New Yorkers and vote to block weapons and bulldozer sales to Israel,” said Chelsea Manning in a statement issued by JVP.Police confirmed to AFP there were “multiple arrests” but could not immediately give a number.
