NYC Protests Demand End to U.S. Arms Sales to Israel, Dozens Detained

Dozens of demonstrators were arrested in New York City on Monday during widespread protests calling for the United States to halt arms sales to Israel and withdraw its military support for the country. The antiwar organization Jewish Voice for Peace reported that approximately 90 people were taken into custody during the demonstrations.

Among those detained was Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. Army soldier and WikiLeaks whistleblower. The New York City Police Department confirmed multiple arrests but declined to specify an exact number.

Crowds gathered near the offices of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, with protesters chanting phrases such as "stop the bombs," "end the killings," and "free Palestine." Additional chants including "let Gaza live," "let Iran live," and "let Lebanon live" echoed through the streets, reflecting growing public opposition to U.S.-Israeli military operations in the region.

The protests come amid escalating conflict following a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliatory Iranian strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting American military bases. The ongoing violence has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions across Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza.

Scrutiny over U.S. military aid to Israel has intensified as Israel's war in Gaza continues to draw international condemnation. Human rights organizations, academic scholars, and a United Nations inquiry have raised genocide assessments regarding the conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, triggered a severe hunger crisis, and internally displaced Gaza's entire population. Israel maintains that its military campaign constitutes self-defense following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken.

The Trump administration has responded to a broader wave of anti-war protests by attempting to deport foreign student demonstrators, threatening university funding, and mandating screening of immigrants' social media activity, though these measures have encountered significant legal challenges.