Title: Massive Protest in New York Calls for Justice for Palestinians Amid UN General Assembly
Date: September 26, 2025
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the iconic Times Square on Friday morning, September 26, to demand an end to what they described as the mass killings of Palestinians. The rally coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where he spoke at around 9 AM.
Around an hour after the demonstration began, protesters marched toward the UN headquarters located on the east side of Midtown Manhattan. They were met by a significant police presence and were eventually contained across First Avenue. Demonstrators carried signs invoking calls for Netanyahu’s arrest, citing allegations of genocide as detailed in a recent UN special report. Many placards highlighted the plight of children living under siege in Gaza. Chants of “Free Palestine!” and “Up with revolution, down with occupation!” filled the air, alongside calls for an international arms embargo on Israel. Striking visuals at the protest included artistic placards, notably a baby doll splattered in red paint, and a mirror inscribed with the haunting message, “This is what you did during genocide.”
Among the protesters was William Chan, a New York City-based photographer and veteran of the United States Army. Clad in military fatigues, he stood in solidarity with fellow veterans advocating for an end to U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. In remarks to Hyperallergic, Chan expressed, “I love my country. We are crumbling right now between imperialism and fascism … But we can change it by being better.”
Netanyahu’s visit faced harsh criticism as the death toll in Gaza surpassed 65,000 since the outbreak of violence in October 2023. “We are helping Israel with genocide, and that is a moral crime,” Chan stated, echoing a sentiment shared by many demonstrators.
Inside the UN during Netanyahu’s speech, multiple ambassadors reportedly walked out in protest. Recently, several nations, including France, Canada, and Britain, announced their recognition of an independent Palestinian state, a move that Netanyahu rejected vehemently during his address. This year’s session marks the 80th convening of the UN General Assembly, which just last week voted overwhelmingly to allow Palestinian officials to participate after the Trump administration denied them visas. Only five countries opposed Palestinian participation in the assembly, including Israel and the United States.
The rally featured a variety of striking images, depicting both the suffering in Gaza and the need for global solidarity. Below is a selection of photographs capturing the essence of the protests.
Photos from the protest
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Caption: A demonstrator takes questions from reporters while holding an image apparently from Gaza.
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Caption: One attendee held up a mirror to police and protesters, inscribed with the statement, “This is what you did during genocide.”
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Caption: United States military veterans stood in a protest contingent, including William Chan (left).
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Caption: Protesters carried large Palestinian flags.
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Caption: Signs drew attention to the plight of Palestinian children living under Israeli military occupation, including one sign depicting Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl who was killed by Israeli forces in January 2024.
The enormity of the protest reflected deep-seated frustrations with ongoing military actions in Gaza and was a clear display of solidarity for the Palestinian cause. As the march concluded near the UN, protesters reiterated their call for justice and accountability, underscoring the urgent need for international attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
For those seeking further information, the unfolding events surrounding the protest and the subsequent reactions continue to shape dialogues on human rights and international law.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the protesters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publication.
