50 Jewish Activists Arrested Protesting Schumer & Gillibrand for Arming Israel

Protest Against Arms Shipments to Israel

• 📣 Approximately 200 activists from Jewish Voice for Peace protested at the Manhattan offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
• ✊ The protest aimed to denounce their votes against halting arms shipments to Israel and highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• ⛓️ Activists banged pots and pans, chanting "Stop starving Gaza!" and "Never again for anyone!" to draw attention to the situation.

Arrests and Demands

• 🚨 Jewish Voice for Peace reported that 50 Jewish New Yorkers were arrested by police during the demonstration.
• 🏛️ Among those arrested were New York State Assembly Member Claire Valdez and New York City Council member Tiffany Kaban.
• 🗣️ Council member Tiffany Kaban stated, "Our government is funding this genocide" and demanded an end to the siege in Gaza.

Political Context and Complicity

• 🗳️ The protest followed a Senate vote where Senators Schumer and Gillibrand voted against a measure to block $675 million in additional U.S. arms sales to Israel.
• 💔 The activists expressed outrage, stating "not in our name" and highlighting that both senators are complicit if they do not stand against the actions in Gaza.
• 🌍 The protest emphasized solidarity with Palestinians and the demand for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.

Activist Perspectives

• ✡️ Protesters identified as Jewish New Yorkers, with some explicitly stating they are "anti-Zionist Jews" who do not believe a Jewish state is valid.
• ✊ Past actions by Jewish Voice for Peace include protests at Grand Central Station, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan Bridge.
• 🤝 The movement against the genocide is seen as a cause that mobilizes people across religion, race, and class.