Photos: ANSWER Coalition\YouTube Screenshots
January 27, 2024, New York City – In another outrageous attack on free speech rights, NYPD officers made five arrests at the very beginning of a march today protesting the genocide in Gaza, including recognizable leaders of the action and organizers from the Palestinian Youth Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and The People’s Forum.
The march was organized by the Shut It Down for Palestine movement.
One innocent protester, a Black man, was arrested after being singled out by a violent Zionist agitator who entered the crowd and began to throw himself at people. The police also confiscated the sound system being used in the protest.
We condemn the NYPD’s campaign of intimidation targeting the movement in solidarity with Palestine, and remain determined to stay in the streets exercising our rights. The march continued powerfully through the streets of New York City despite the arrests.
The police attack on this march is part of a pattern of repression that has been intensifying in the last week against several organizations, and indicates a high-level decision made in the ranks of the NYPD and city political establishment to crack down on free speech.
Yesterday, a protest organized by Within Our Lifetime was attacked and groundless arrests were made. Last week, a protest organized by the Shut It Down for Palestine movement was also the target of police action that resulted in 10 baseless arrests.
Despite the efforts of powerful politicians and police officials to demonize pro-Palestine activism, the majority of New Yorkers and the majority of people in this country oppose Israel’s genocide and support a ceasefire. This movement will not be stopped – we will continue to take to the streets and exercise our basic rights.
The struggle will go on until Palestine is free!
Statement signed:
Palestinian Youth Movement
The People’s Forum
Party for Socialism & Liberation
ANSWER Coalition
National Students for Justice in Palestine
Al-Awda NY
