Protesters Fill the Streets of New York on the Anniversary of the October 7th Attacks

A Day of Remembrance, Mourning, and Continued Calls for a Ceasefire in Gaza

On the one year anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks of October 7th, demonstrators in New York City filled the streets to mourn the dead and offer support for those still living through the now year-long conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The demonstration, organized by leftist activism group, Within Our Lifetime, started at 1:00 P.M. at the New York Stock Exchange and grew as it reached each rallying point on its way uptown.

Protesters carrying a large Palestinian flag gather outside of NYSE at the beginning of the WOL demonstration. (©Brendan F. Rains)

The Palestinian flag drapes over cars and traffic blockades while protesters march from the New York Stock Exchange. (©Brendan F. Rains)

In previous demonstrations, protesters rushed onto the Brooklyn Bridge, blocking traffic and resulted in the mass arrest of nearly 50. However, on Monday, NYPD temporarily suspended traffic and barricaded the entrance to the bridge.

NYPD blockades at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge keep groups of protesters from storming the bridge and blocking traffic. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Passing City Hall, the crowd gathered for a speech and was met by several outside agitators, including a drunken man who assaulted a female protester. The agitators were quickly detained by NYPD and the march continued towards Washington Square Park.

NYPD detains an intoxicated man who punched a female protestor and confiscates his liquor. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Pro-Israel counter-protesters protectively barricaded by the NYPD engage in a provocative interview about Israel with performance artist, Crackhead Barney. (©Brendan F. Rains)

With the upcoming American Presidential Election, domestic politics were on the minds of many. Throughout the demonstration, it was not difficult to find messaging from the American election.

As the American election approaches, domestic issues are on the minds of many in attendance for the Oct. 7 demonstration. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Speakers in support of Palestine expressed frustration with the current administration’s funding of the Israel-Hamas war, and a lack of domestic emergency funding in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which brought devastation on the Central Savannah River Area and left 20 dead.

However, their hopes were not high for alternative choices to the Biden administration, citing several pitfalls of the previous Trump administration, such as green lighting the movement of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

At Union Square, a lone man finishes the Asr prayer. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Rallying at Union Square, the group stopped for the Asr prayer and speeches from WOL members. Tenants from a building neighboring Union Square played music and hung the Israeli flag during the middle and end of the prayer.

An Israeli flag flies atop a building neighboring Union Square. (©Brendan F. Rains)

As the crowd marched from Union Square to Grand Central, the protesters were met with a larger NYPD presence and redirected from entering the station.

Protesters wearing red and white keffiyehs, adopted by the PFLP, carry flags and march towards Grand Central. (©Brendan F. Rains)

WOL organizers regroup protesters in Pershing Square outside of Grand Central. (©Brendan F. Rains)

In the past, protests of this scale have pushed into Grand Central Station and occupied the area for several hours at at time which has resulted in increased NYPD presence and barricades in the area.

As the protest marched towards the New York Public Library, WOL organizers made the decision to avoid Times Square and Columbus Circle due to the Pro-Israel rallies taking place in both locations.

Two middle aged protesters are arrested by NYPD for stopping in traffic. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Due to the increased presence of agitators, the NYPD began arresting more of the protesters and in several instances assaulted members of the press.

NYC photographer, Matt Webber, backs away after being shoved by an NYPD officer. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Two boys are escorted away from the protest by NYPD after inciting remarks. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Ultimately, WOL organizers redirected the demonstration downtown in an effort to avoid further conflict with agitators and NYPD and redirected to Madison Square Park. While crossing several luxury retail stores, those in attendance chanted “While you’re shopping bombs are dropping.” The demonstration concluded with a sit in at Madison Square Garden.

Protesters march through Madison Square Garden on the way to the sit in. (©Brendan F. Rains)

The protest, which occurred on the one year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, served as a day of action, memorial, and outrage over the lives lost on and since the start of the conflict. After over a year of war, there is still no hostage deal, ceasefire agreement, nor end to the constant bombardment in Gaza. And with continued air and ground movements in Lebanon, it appears that regional war may be on the horizon.

The demonstration raises serious questions about the concerns of many Americans, especially given this upcoming election season. For an issue that occupies the minds of so many young voters, it is not so easily divided along domestic party lines.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

Thank you for reading this article. Although I still have several articles I am drafting from stories I covered while abroad, I am no longer working out of the West Bank.

I plan to continue posting my coverage of spot news and long-format stories that I work on while I am based in New York and Rains Report will continue to function as a source for crowd-funded independent reporting.

Best,