Overview
- Dozens of protesters, including City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán and Assemblymember Claire Valdez, were arrested after occupying the lobby of 780 Third Avenue, which houses the Manhattan offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
- Participants displayed signs reading “Let Aid in NOW,” “Stop Arming Israel” and “Let Gaza Live” and refused NYPD orders to disperse, resulting in zip-tied arrests and citations for civil disobedience.
- The direct action was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace to challenge Schumer and Gillibrand’s votes against two Sanders-backed resolutions that would have blocked $675 million in weapons sales and assaulted rifle transfers to Israel.
- Organizers cited United Nations estimates that one in three Gazans now endures days without food and that hospitals have treated over 20,000 children for acute malnutrition since April.
- Many arrestees remain cited for refusing to vacate the building and face potential legal consequences as the movement escalates its tactics to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to US arms shipments to Israel.