Susan Sarandon Among Dozens Detained at Netanyahu UN Protest

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the United Nations in New York on Sept. 24 to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s actions in Gaza and Iran, call for his arrest and an end to arms supplies to Israel, and block traffic ahead of his General Assembly address. Police detained or arrested dozens while clearing the area; those reported among them included actors Susan Sarandon, Hannah Einbinder, Cynthia Nixon and comedian Caleb Hearon, as well as congressional candidate Darializa Avila-Chevalier and other activists. Reports differed on whether Sarandon and Einbinder were formally arrested or only detained, and the precise legal status of the detentions was not confirmed. Avila-Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Ossé said they joined to oppose the violence and U.S. support for Israel. Dozens of delegates walked out as Netanyahu began speaking; he defended Israel’s actions, said the country was also protecting other nations and criticized those who left.