
On Friday afternoon, 2,000 pro-Palestine protestors and counterprotesters gathered in Times Square.
Times Square was crowded with demonstrators who were chanting to the beat of drums and being directed by leaders using megaphones.
Even though the throng was still expanding, there was largely calm, and all of the nearby businesses were still open.
The demonstrators claimed that the message was loud and clear and that it was never loud enough.
“What we are here to convey today is that the objective of that genocidal violence is to destroy the spirit and resistance of the Palestinian people,” declared Kaleem Hawa of the Palestinian Youth Movement.
Many people in the crowds denounced the killing of civilians, as well as any collaboration in what they claimed to be the decades-long genocide of the Palestinian people.
Those who shouted back at the Times Square rally did not take well to claims that the United States and Israel are a war machine.
By 3:30 p.m., two people had been taken into custody following a fight between the two sides at West 35th Street and Sixth Avenue.
Tensions have been increasing at home as the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East intensifies.
For what is being dubbed an “International Day of Action for Palestine,” the city is increasing police presence and patrols on Friday.
In order to prevent a lone wolf or sympathizer assault, NYPD officers are closely monitoring extreme groups and their online chatter.
“The FBI is aware of the online posts regarding the ‘Global Day of Action’ and that’s why we’re exchanging data with our partners as well as continuing to monitor the events in Israel and the region to make sure that we’re identifying as well as disrupting any potential threats,” stated FBI New York Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Boshears at the time.
Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that the safety of New Yorkers is their first priority during a press conference on Thursday night.
“We have directed the NYPD to dedicate additional resources to educational institutions, and houses of worship, to make sure they are safe and to guarantee our city remains a place of peace,” Adams stated.
Officials claim that there are no particular, credible threats to New York City, but out of prudence, every cop is in uniform.
According to Rebecca Ulam Weiner, Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism, “We’re trying to make sure that violence does not manifest on the streets of New York City.”
The MTA also said that on Friday, there will be a greater police presence at the system’s major transportation hubs and elsewhere. Riders will notice increased security as well as additional alertness-related notifications.
“While there is no serious threat and everybody encourages New Yorkers to go on their business, we are highly prepared and very much to deploy,” Janno Lieber, chairman of the MTA, said.
Counterterrorism teams are increasing patrols in the waterways around New York while NYPD helicopters are scouring the air. In areas like Times Square, there are significant deployments of uniformed police officers on the streets. However, a lot of people are assuming positions outside synagogues before the customary Friday Shabbat services.
Not just in the city, but also throughout the state of New York, according to Hochul, there will be active vigilance. She said that state police had been “fully activated” and that the National Guard had been told to patrol important transit hubs.
Hochul continued, “There’s no reason to be scared.