Gaza Protest Turns Into Mass Arrest at Schumer’s NYC Office – Lawmakers Included

August 1, 2025 – Manhattan, New York
Approximately 50 people were arrested Friday afternoon, including New York City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán and Assemblymember Claire Valdez, after demonstrators occupied the lobby of a Midtown Manhattan office building that houses the offices of U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, drew around 200 people to 780 3rd Avenue just after noon. Participants entered the building’s lobby, where they sat down, sang, and displayed large yellow banners with slogans such as “Let Gaza Live” and “Let Aid In Now.” Protesters also banged on pots and pans, and some appeared emotional, chanting phrases like “Stop starving Gaza” and “Let it end.”

The demonstration lasted for roughly an hour before NYPD officers responded. Police began removing demonstrators in pairs, using zip ties to detain them. The number of arrests was so high that a police bus was brought in to transport those taken into custody.

The protest was described by organizers as an act of civil disobedience meant to pressure lawmakers to support humanitarian aid to Gaza. As of Friday evening, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand had not publicly responded to the demonstration.

Lobby was filled with a mix of elected officials and activists inside the building, seated with banners and signs expressing solidarity with Palestinians and demanding an end to the blockade on aid.

This event is part of a broader wave of protests urging U.S. political leaders to take stronger action on Gaza.

In a separate action early Friday morning, five pro-Palestine protesters were taken into custody after chaining themselves to the entrance of the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations, located at 304 E 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan.