Grand Central Station briefly shut down as large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marches through Manhattan
NEW YORK -- Grand Central Station was briefly shut down Friday night due to a large demonstration outside in support of Palestinians.
Several people were taken into custody.
NYPD sources tell us police are becoming increasingly concerned with hostility over the Israel-Hamas war and the number of rallies held across the city.
At Grand Central, access was denied after a large group of demonstrators made its way across town, stopping at many locations, before ending at the station, where police had the doors locked.
It started at Columbus Circle at the edge of Central Park.
"It's too many of them dying, way too many," one demonstrator said.
Demonstrators called for a cease-fire in Gaza.
"Everyone should just do their part. I feel like everyone should just understand that this is human lives," demonstrator Crissi Verez said.
"I have kids, I have grandkids and my heart is broken. I cannot sleep. I cannot eat. I cannot drink. People need water," another demonstrator said.
Police used barricades to keep things in order. Just across the street, one man stood waving an Israeli flag.
"I'm going to stand here and be a voice for Israel and the Jews," Gregory Jachts said.
The NYPD says demonstrations are being held just about every day in the city and stretching police resources. Each precinct now has one supervisor and eight uniformed officers on standby, ready to respond to planned or pop-up demonstrations, according to police sources.
On Thursday, demonstrators spray-painted the New York Times Building and littered the lobby with newspapers.
The NYPD has growing concerns about the overall hostility stemming from the war due to the rise in bias crimes. According to NYPD stats, there were 101 bias incidents in October, a 124% increase from October of last year.
The NYPD had a large presence at Friday night's demonstration. The department wants people to exercise their first amendment rights, all while being safe.
Police say around 9:30 p.m., some demonstrators staged a sit-in at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue and refused to comply with officers' orders. Police also say there were altercations between some demonstrators and bystanders.
A number of people were detained for disorderly conduct.
