Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters flooded the streets of Manhattan on Labor Day, just two days after the murder of six hostages who had been abducted nearly a year ago in the terrorist attacks on Israel. The protesters, gathered under the name “Flood NYC for Gaza,” called for an end to the year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Organized by “Within Our Lifetime,” the protest drew a much larger crowd than expected, with demonstrators coming from out of state to join in the march towards Grand Central Station. Some protesters engaged in acts of civil disobedience, including spray-painting walls and setting off flares, leading to clashes with the NYPD.
The protest, which also saw demonstrators attempting to head towards the United Nations, seemed to be a precursor to larger protests as the one-year anniversary of the attacks approaches. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would pay a “heavy price” for the murder of the hostages, sparking anger and protests in the country.
Less than 24 hours before the Manhattan protest, thousands of New Yorkers gathered at Columbus Circle for a candlelight vigil to mourn the victims. The tense atmosphere in both New York and Israel reflects the deep-rooted conflict between Israel and Palestine, with no clear resolution in sight.
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