A significant number of demonstrators supporting Palestine assembled outside President Joe Biden’s campaign fundraiser on Thursday evening, reportedly leading to the arrest of several individuals.
Footage shared on Twitter depicts protesters congregating outside Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan while Biden held a fundraiser alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. A sizable crowd was obstructed by barricades and a row of New York Police Department (NYPD) officers stationed in front of the venue.
The raging crowd chanted “revolution,” “free, free, free Palestine” and “Biden, Biden you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.” Some of the signs being carried read “End all U.S. aid to Israel.”
#NYC Pro-palestine protesters gather as President Biden, Obama and Clinton have arrived at Radio City Music Hall for Massive Fundraiser today in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/1Be30f2Rlp
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) March 28, 2024
During the protest, a separate video captured a tense exchange between a bystander and an activist. The male bystander mentioned that he needed to pass through to see his “dying mother,” but the activist refused to let him through, waving her hands in the air. More activists joined in blocking the bystander, until a male protester pulled him back and pushed him away. Subsequently, multiple protesters began shoving the bystander, while someone off-camera urged them to “stop.” NYPD officers arrived to escort the bystander, instructing the protesters to “stay back.” Another intense moment from the event was recorded when an Israeli supporter walked through the crowd, facing taunts and demands to leave.
#NOW Man is grabbed and shoved by protesters after he tried to cross through Pro-palestine march outside of Radio City Music Hall where Biden is holding a fundraiser. pic.twitter.com/Z701XaiveN
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) March 28, 2024
#NOW Israel Supporter goes inside the Pro-palestine Protest, gets pushed out, another Pro-Israel protester runs inside the building as crowds chant "Genocide Joe!" during protest held outside President Biden, Obama and Clinton Radio City Music Hall for Massive Fundraiser in NYC. pic.twitter.com/0dpMEuN1OP
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) March 29, 2024
In the footage, a third clip captures the intensifying protest, where an individual participating in the demonstration seems to be apprehended by the NYPD. Although the reason behind the escalating situation remains uncertain, the disorderly scenes depict authorities instructing protesters to move back onto the sidewalk, while numerous individuals tried to document the alleged arrest of the protestor.
#NYC ARRESTS during the march after hundreds PROTEST for Palestine outside President Biden, Obama and Clinton Radio City Music Hall for Massive Fundraiser in NYC
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/i6FH1Tvcw2
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) March 28, 2024