Nearly 200 demonstrators marched shouting through Times Square on Thursday night in a last-minute “emergency rally” called to denounce the U.S. bombing of Houthi-affiliated facilities in Yemen.
Organizations have taken to the streets to speak out against the bombing of Yemen, while also criticizing Israel for its military operation in Gaza following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.
“Leave the Middle East'' in Midtown Manhattan as demonstrators unfurled banners reading “Stop America Bombing Yemen'' and waved flags reading “Liberate Palestine'' and “End All US Aid to Israel.'' ” and “Let go of Gaza” chants rang out. .
Police said they had detained one person during the protests, but the person arrested did not appear to be affiliated with any pro-Yemeni or pro-Palestinian groups.
Video footage seen by the newspaper at the scene showed the man being pinned face down on the ground, refusing to respond to officers who tried to handcuff him, and chanting “Israel” repeatedly.
The NYPD had no further information about the incident as of late Thursday night.
Manolo de los Santos of the People's Forum, an organizer of one of the groups holding the protests, said in a statement early Friday that the people arrested were not part of the four groups that took part in the rally. .
Protests were also held in Washington, D.C., near the White House, on Thursday night.
President Biden's remarks came days after Iranian-backed rebels carried out the “largest attack ever” on a transport ship in the Red Sea, endangering Americans, civilians and U.S. partners. He said the United States and Britain had launched retaliatory attacks against the Houthi militants.
This is the first US attack on Yemen's Houthis since 2016.
The Houthis say their attacks and hijacking of cargo ships are supporting Hamas, following the outbreak of war in Gaza.
One of the groups protesting in Times Square called the strike a “dangerous escalation” that could lead to further wars in the Middle East, according to a press release detailing the rally. Stated.
Since the Israeli-Hamas war erupted last year, the Big Apple has seen dozens of protests against the Jewish state and the United States, some of which have blocked traffic and disrupted major transportation hubs. .
Additional reporting by Steven Vago.
with post wire.
