Thousands of students march across New York on anniversary of Gaza conflict

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, including students from Columbia University, City University of New York and more than a dozen other New York universities, walked out of class to march through the streets on Monday, the first anniversary of the Palestine-Israel conflict, triggered by the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

Chanting slogans and holding placards that read "Free Palestine", the students, many wearing keffiyeh scarves, began marching at 4:30 pm from Lower Manhattan.

The protesters walked to Washington Square Park, Union Square and Wall Street, where they unfurled a massive Palestinian flag in front of the New York Stock Exchange. They encountered pro-Israeli counterprotesters, and angry words were exchanged.

The march continued to Fifth Avenue, snarling traffic, and proceeded toward Times Square, where counterprotesters carried large Israeli flags. The pro-Palestinian protesters then headed to Columbus Circle at 59th Street to join a large citywide protest.

Rabbi Asher from Brooklyn said: "Today I think of the hostages taken. What we need is peace. Then I feel hopeful for a better future. The way to have peace is through strength. We must help each other."

Muhammed, a pro-Palestinian student protester who declined to give his surname, said: "We must call an end to genocide. I'm here protesting for the Palestinian people. I'm not going to stop until they are free. Free Palestine!"

While the street protests were mainly peaceful, in the afternoon, red graffiti reading "Divest Now "and smashed windows were found at a City University of New York building in Hamilton Heights.

At Columbia University in Manhattan, the epicenter of the original anti-Israel protests, security barriers were erected. By midmorning, part of the school grounds were closed to visitors, with access restricted to those carrying ID cards.

A memorial for the victims of the conflict was set up, displaying their pictures on large cardboard milk cartons, positioned in the same area where an anti-Israel encampment had stood in the past academic year.

Security tightened

Interim Columbia University President Katrina Armstrong said heightened campus security and building restrictions would be in effect through Wednesday to prevent the "risk of violence to any member of our community".

In New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, the New York Police Department stepped up patrols and security measures. At least two people were arrested by early evening, the NYPD said.

In the afternoon, protesters picketed the home of Rebecca Weiner, NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism. A picture of one of the signs held outside Weiner's house read, "Abolish NYPD Counter terrorism", an Instagram post by Unityoffields showed.

The group wrote on Instagram, "The movement for a free Palestine cannot and will not be locked behind or shut out by campus gates."

A candlelit ceremony was held by the Jewish community in the evening in Central Park, with some of the hostages' families attending. Mayor Eric Adams and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul were also present.

Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School, led a pro-Israeli protest. A "Flood Columbia" protest and "Columbia United Against Terror" rally were held outside campus grounds.