Palestinian Protest Closes NYC’s Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal Temporarily Closed Due to Pro-Palestinian Sit-In
During the Friday evening rush, hundreds of Pro-Palestinian protesters organized a sit-in at Grand Central Terminal, resulting in its temporary closure. The rally, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), aimed to end the Israel-Hamas war through civil disobedience. JVP describes itself as “organizing toward Palestinian liberation and Judaism beyond Zionism.”
The demonstration took place shortly after the Israel Defense Forces announced their plans to escalate ground operations in the Gaza Strip.
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“Thousands are sitting in at Grand Central Station demanding a #CeasefireNOW,” says a post by JVP on X.
Images on social media show the station’s concourse filled with demonstrators wearing black shirts with the slogan “Jews say cease fire now,” while chanting, ”No more weapons. No more war. Ceasefire is what we’re calling for.”
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) had to shut down the terminal in response to the sit-in.
“Grand Central Terminal is closed due to a demonstration in the area,” the MTA announced on X. ”Customers should travel to Harlem-125th St for Metro-North service to points north.”
After the sit-in was cleared, Grand Central Terminal reopened for ticketed customers only.
“Customers can enter and exit using the entrance at 105 E 42nd Street for the rest of the evening,” the MTA stated.
On Oct. 18, JVP staged a protest in the Capitol building in Washington, resulting in several arrests.
The protests followed Hamas terrorists killing over 1,400 people, mostly civilians in Israel, on Oct. 7. This led to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas terrorist sites in the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas-run health ministry claims that Israeli strikes have killed over 7,000 people in Gaza, but The Epoch Times cannot independently verify these numbers.
What actions are pro-Palestinian groups, like JVP, likely to take in response to the ongoing conflict
Com/NYCTSubway/status/1453628538644596233?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>NYCT Subway tweeted on Friday evening. “Please consider alternate routes at this time.”
The closure caused significant disruptions for commuters, as the terminal is one of the busiest transportation hubs in New York City. Grand Central Terminal serves as a major hub for Metro-North Railroad, as well as several New York City Subway lines.
The protest and closure were met with mixed reactions from the public. Some commuters expressed frustration over the disruption to their travel plans, while others showed support for the protesters’ cause.
“I understand that this protest may inconvenience some people, but it is important to remember the human lives at stake in the Israel-Hamas conflict,” said one supporter of the sit-in. “We need to raise awareness and demand an end to the violence.”
Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place worldwide in response to the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. Activists are calling for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Grand Central Terminal reopened several hours after the sit-in began. The MTA thanked commuters for their patience and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the closure.
This demonstration at Grand Central Terminal serves as a reminder of the impact that international conflicts can have on local communities. As the Israel-Hamas war continues, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to voice their concerns and work towards a peaceful resolution.
JVP and other pro-Palestinian groups will likely continue their advocacy efforts to put pressure on governments and international bodies to take action and address the ongoing conflict. It remains to be seen how these protests and demonstrations will influence the course of events in the Israel-Hamas war, but they are a powerful reminder of the role that activism plays in shaping public opinion and prompting change.
In the coming days and weeks, it will be important to monitor the developments in the conflict and the responses from various stakeholders. The situation in the Middle East has far-reaching implications and requires attention from the international community to ensure the safety and well-being of all those affected.
As the protests at Grand Central Terminal demonstrate, the voices of concerned citizens can make a difference, and it is through collective action and civil disobedience that progress can be achieved.
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