While attending a vigil on Wednesday, protesters hurled personal attacks at Mayor Mamdani and Brad Lander, claiming they had “betrayed” the Palestinians.
Hundreds of protestors from New York City chapters of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, along with anti-Israel groups Pal-Awda and Within Our Lifetime, drowned out prayers to end the Gaza genocide and occupation by the left-wing group Israelis For Peace in Union Square Park. Two nights prior, a contentious NYC-YDSA vote decided to pull their endorsement of the Anti-Mamdani protest after pressure from the NYC DSA, deciding instead to to hold walkouts focused on BDS against Israel, but some YDSA chapters—including Hunter College—proceeded to protest the Mayor.
Many prominent Palestinian activists spoke against the protest, including Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil. “Mayor Mamdani fought for my release when the Trump administration targeted me for defending Palestinian rights, and he has stood by me since,” Mr. Khalil said in a statement on Thursday. “I believe he is committed to accountability for Israel’s ongoing war crimes and to advancing Palestinian rights, and I look forward to his office turning that commitment into more concrete action.”
Protestors, counter protestors, media, and agitators gathered outside of City Hall at 4 pm.
Members of the Neturei Karta, an ultra-Orthadox Jewish sect that rejects Zionism for religious reasons, showed up first.
Student groups arrived and gave speeches.
One man wore a crusader outfit and held a sign saying “DEATH TO THE INTIFADA.” He said the crusades were “awesome” because “they killed muslims.”
The man holding a water bottle yells “are you America first or Israel first” at pro-Israel counter protestors. He begins to get in their face and get physical, along with the person on his left wearing a keffiyeh and black backpack.
A fellow anti-Mamdani / anti-Israel protester attempts to de-escalate.
The man with the water bottle yells again, “America first or Israel first?!”
Two young people with a Hamas flag (left) and a Palestinian flag (right).
Around 5:30 pm. Over 300 protesters march north, towards Union Square.
A protester holds a photo of deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar among others.
Canal Street vendors hastily pack up their merchandise.
Union Square vigil
Israelis For Peace
Protesters chant “fuck Brad Lander.” Those around him respond “we love you Brad. Brad’s the mench!” Moments later, Lander told The Envoy he is heartbroken with people’s lack of empathy, but sadly not surprised.
The vigil is forced to reposition further into Union Square Park. An organizer said: “We have gathered here tonight to honor life, both Israeli and Palestinian life, but we are not being allowed to do that… Rest assured, we will read testimonies from victims of Oct 7 and we will read testimonies from victims of the Gaza genocide and we will not be silenced.”
Mayor Mamdani stands solemnly listening to the eulogy of a peace activist who died on Oct 7. Protestors chant “We don’t care about where you’re from. You cannot talk about being Muslim anymore. You cannot weaponize being brown anymore.”
In a call and response:
“A little fun fact. A little fun fact.
I used to work for Zohran Mamdani. I used to work for Zohran Mamdani.
I used to intern for Zohran Mamdani. I used to intern for Zohran Mamdani.
I was never working for him. I was never working for him.
I was always working for the people. I was always working for the people.
Unlike Zohran. Unlike Zohran
He was never working for the people. He was never working for the people.
Unlike Zohran. Unlike Zohran.
Who switched up. Who switched up.
He’s proven where his interests lie. He’s proven where his interests lie.
So now you decide, Zohran, right now. So now you decide, Zohran, right now.”
Remembering the dead
The vigil ended with a recital of Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead.
By 9:30 P.M., everyone had dispersed. Despite the high tensions, there were no arrests and few instances of violence. The NYPD Strategic Response Group (SRG) was not on the scene.
According to the organizers, Israeli’s For Peace has held a vigil in Union Square nearly every week for the past three years. They have no plans to stop “until everyone has peace.”
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