Hollywood stars Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder among 100 arrested in NYC anti-Netanyahu protest

High-profile Hollywood figures, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, were among more than 100 demonstrators New York City Police arrested on Thursday.

The arrests occurred during a mass civil disobedience demonstration organized by Jewish Voice for Peace outside the United Nations headquarters, where protesters gathered to oppose Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the 81st UN General Assembly.

[H2: How did NYPD disperse the demonstration and who was detained?

The protest, which drew over 400 participants, saw demonstrators blocking the intersection at First Avenue and 39th Street near the UN complex while wearing matching shirts and holding banners reading "Stop Arming Israel," "Fund People Not Bombs," and "End the Genocide". According to the NYPD, officers issued multiple dispersal warnings before moving in to detain individuals who remained seated in the roadway.

Officers zip-tied demonstrators and escorted them to police buses as crowd members chanted slogans against Netanyahu and US military funding. Along with Sarandon and Einbinder, those taken into custody included New York City Council Member Chi Ossé, New York State Representative Emily Gallagher, congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, and political activists Chelsea Manning and Linda Sarsour. In a statement on X, Jewish Voice for Peace asserted: "We refuse to stand by while war criminals are given a platform to speak and while our government spends billions on war."

What occurred inside the UN General Assembly during Netanyahu's address?

The street demonstration coincided with significant diplomatic pushback inside the UN chamber. As Netanyahu took the podium to speak, dozens of foreign envoys and diplomatic delegations staged a coordinated walkout, leaving large sections of the hall visibly empty.

During his speech, Netanyahu delivered a sharp critique of Western nations, assailing allies such as Britain and France for recently moving to recognize an independent Palestinian state and accusing critics of applying double standards to Israel. Meanwhile, Sarandon—who noted at the Venice Film Festival earlier in the month that her vocal stance on Gaza had cost her film roles—reaffirmed her commitment to grassroots advocacy, observing that public awareness of the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to grow despite pressure from industry figures.