ALBAWABA - Hundreds of students residing in New York City took to the streets in protest of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza demanding the end of US aid to Israel and holding signs with "hands-off Rafah" written on them.
The New York Post reported that the protests started around 3 pm at the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, as activists chanted "Free Palestine," and "From the land to the sea, Palestine will be free" while playing the drums.
According to BreakThrough News, the students in question were then jailed by the NYPD amid their pro-Palestine stance and before were met with "heavy repression" from the police. This naturally caused quite a stir across social media among activists:
"Very disappointed to learn about high school students being arrested".
"NYPD arresting high schoolers, but letting criminals walk away with unpaid merchandise from stores? Wow! What a great service to the residents! Go NYPD!".
"These kids are incredible. We live in a dystopia: the children do what adults won’t. And they’re thrown in prison for their acts of moral clarity. SHAME ON US ALL FOR TOLERATING THIS COLLECTIVE FASCISM".
New York students jailed amid pro-Palestine protest
Since Oct. 7, 2024, the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the killing of 28,858 Palestinians of whom are 12,660 children and 8,570 women. Additionally, 68,677 are currently injured, and at least 7,000 people are still under the rubble, according to the Gaza Government Media office.
130 journalists, at least 340 healthcare workers, and 46 civil defense officers were all killed as well, as reported by Anadolu. The Israeli army also added that they destroyed 70,000 houses while 290,000 were damaged making them uninhabitable.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation and Gaza
(Photo by Mohammed ABED / AFP)
Hamas announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel making it the biggest offensive by the group in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip, captured military bases, and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel while others were seen paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
