NYC Police Detain Susan Sarandon and Hundreds at UN Protest Over Netanyahu Speech

NEW YORK — Police arrested approximately 100 people, among them actress Susan Sarandon and comedian Hannah Einbinder, during a protest outside the United Nations headquarters on Saturday that demanded the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Arrests near the UN

New York Police Department officers moved in after the crowd, which had gathered to oppose Netanyahu’s speech at the General Assembly, exceeded the size limit of a city‑issued permit and began blocking pedestrian traffic on the avenue adjacent to the UN complex. The department said the arrests were made in accordance with municipal regulations governing public assemblies.

Among those taken into custody were several high‑profile figures from the entertainment industry and a handful of progressive elected officials. The New York Post identified the group as including left‑leaning politicians, while Variety confirmed that actress Susan Sarandon and comedian Hannah Einbinder were among those detained.

Charges and processing

Police listed the primary charge as unlawful assembly, a misdemeanor under New York City law. Detainees were processed at the 20th Precinct, fingerprinted and photographed before being released on their own recognizance later that evening. The department did not disclose the exact number of citations issued.

Protest aims

The rally was organized by a coalition of activist groups that oppose Israel’s military actions in Gaza and called for Netanyahu’s arrest on charges of war crimes. Organizers said the demonstration was timed to coincide with the prime minister’s address to the United Nations, where he defended Israel’s recent operations.

According to the Al Jazeera report, participants chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Arrest Netanyahu,” and displayed placards demanding accountability for civilian casualties in Gaza.

Reactions

Protest organizers condemned the police action, describing the arrests as an attempt to suppress dissent. A spokesperson for the coalition said the group would consider legal options to challenge the city’s enforcement of the permit rules.

City officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the police response was routine and based on existing regulations. They noted that the city permits a limited number of demonstrators in the narrow pedestrian corridor surrounding the UN headquarters, and that any breach of those limits can result in enforcement action.

Background

Netanyahu’s speech to the United Nations on September 24 highlighted Israel’s security concerns and rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. The speech sparked a wave of protests in major cities worldwide, with New York seeing one of the largest turnouts. The city has a history of permitting large‑scale demonstrations near the UN, but recent security alerts have prompted stricter enforcement of crowd‑size limits.

Legal experts noted that while the right to protest is protected under the First Amendment, municipal authorities retain the power to regulate the time, place and manner of assemblies to ensure public safety. The current arrests are likely to be reviewed in the context of ongoing debates over the balance between security measures and civil liberties.