NYC plans massive anti-Israel protests for one-year anniversary of October 7 terrorist attack

The city is bracing for widespread anti-Israel protests planned for the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack.

Protests are already expected on Saturday in the lead-up to the anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack, with events being held in Times Square, outside Google’s Manhattan headquarters and at Court Square Park in Queens.

Several anti-Israel groups are planning demonstrations on Monday, notably the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), which is organizing a nationwide “rage week” on college campuses starting on October 7.

Meanwhile, one of the most vocal anti-Israel organization “Within Our Lifetime” (WOL) called on protesters to “flood New York City for Palestine” to commemorate the anniversary of the attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel.

Just last week, WOL followers gathered by the hundreds to demonstrate outside the Loews Regency New York hotel, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying before addressing the United Nations the next morning.

“Flood into New York City on Monday October 7th for Palestine, stand with Gaza and uplift the Palestinian people who have been resisting genocide by any means necessary since 1948,” the group wrote in a post to X.

“Get out of work and school, hit the streets and join us throughout the day.”

WOL called on participants to “confront the forces of imperialism and Zionism and let the world know that NYC stands with (Palestinians’) heroic struggle in the face of destruction.”

Protests are expected to spread across the city from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, including Wall Street, City Hall, Washington Square Park, Union Square, Grand Central, Times Square and Columbus Circle.

Law-enforcement sources said police would be deployed in full force, including working extra shifts and on holidays, and some colleges would double their security.

This anniversary is likely to further escalate the already prevailing tensions on campuses Iran’s unprecedented missile attack Against the Jewish state.

Some New York University students admitted to The Post on Friday that although they don’t know much about the issue and have no significant connections to the region, they are “experiencing (the protest)” for themselves. Will be. ,

“I will stay there. I don’t have any family in Gaza and it’s not my family culture but I have some friends who have been affected by the war,” said one student.

Another said, “I don’t feel educated enough to know who is right and who is wrong in this, but if they are fighting for someone’s freedom then they are protesting for the right reasons, in my opinion.” In.”

A foreign exchange student at an elite university said that “America is sick right now” and should form a united front.

The NYPD said earlier this week it was increasing security at synagogues and mosques ahead of Rosh Hashanah — the two-day-long Jewish New Year holiday that began Wednesday night.

Mayor Eric Adams Additional precautions announced At a press conference earlier that day, the city cited it when asked about upcoming protests.

“While we acknowledge that the city will respect and protect people’s right to peacefully protest, we will have zero tolerance for those who violate the law, disrupt traffic and damage property,” Adams said. “

Hizzoner said that people being intimidated in their workplaces, places of worship or anywhere else will not be tolerated and emphasized that the NYPD is working with law enforcement partners at the city, state and federal levels.

Officials said there will be additional cameras to supplement the 80,000 cameras in the NYPD Domain Awareness System at sensitive locations.

“There will be many protections you will see, and many you won’t see. We will have omnipresence and the real, visible presence of the same personnel,” Adams said.

-Additional reporting by Larry Celona and Joe Marino