Anti-Israel groups rally in support of Iran in New York City

Anti-Israel activist groups hold a rally in support of Iran in New York City’s Times Square. The protest is organized by pro-Palestinian and socialist activist groups including the People’s Forum, the ANSWER Coalition and the Palestinian Youth Movement.

“We demand an immediate end to US and Israeli attacks on Iran and its sovereignty,” the groups say in a statement. “Trump and his war hawks are launching a new war that puts the world at risk.”

Several dozen protesters chant, “Feed the people, not the war,” and, “No war on Iran,” to the beat of a snare drum, according to videos shared by the activists.

Some in the crowd hold signs that say, “Stop the war on Iran,” and, “No new war in the Middle East.”

The same groups gathered in the same location the day after Hamas’s October 2023 invasion of Israel to celebrate the terror onslaught. Anti-Israel groups have been holding near-daily protests in the city since Israel launched its offensive against Iran last week. The groups are holding concurrent protests in Washington, Chicago and San Francisco.

The Israel-Iran conflict has also drawn a response from law enforcement in the city. Mayor Eric Adams says police have stepped up protection of religious, cultural and diplomatic sites out of “an abundance of caution.” Police made a similar announcement last week after Israel’s opening strikes on Iran.

Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch received a briefing on how the conflict could affect the city from international liaisons earlier today, Adams says. Jewish security groups have also urged vigilance since the start of hostilities. There are no reports of known, concrete threats to Jewish communities.