A rally hosted in Brooklyn by pro-Palestinian protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was met with a heavy police presence and pro-Israel counterprotesters.
On Monday, the Palestinian-led community organization “Within Our Lifetime” guided the march and called for people to “Flood Brooklyn for Gaza.” Starting in Brooklyn’s North Williamsburg neighborhood at 2:30 p.m., demonstrators headed to the Williamsburg Bridge, shown by videos posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
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Reporters captured footage of counterprotesters waving Israeli flags as pro-Palestinian demonstrators waved their flags and both sides engaged in shouting at each other.
#NOW Counter-protesters continue to wave Israeli flags as a Pro-Palestine Protest takes place along Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/caGf3de4Nt
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) December 4, 2023
The New York City Police Department confirmed it was aware of the protest but could not clarify at the time to the Washington Examiner how many people were expected and how many police officers were present. Social media posts showed NYPD vans in Williamsburg and police vehicles blocking the Interstate 278 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway of the Williamsburg Bridge.
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Notify NYC, the city’s emergency notification system, reported protest activity shortly before 4:20 p.m. and said, “Expect traffic delays & emergency personnel near Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn & Manhattan. Use alternate routes.”
On Friday morning, following a breakdown of negotiations to prolong a ceasefire, the temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ended and Israel resumed its bombing of Gaza. During the seven-day ceasefire, Hamas agreed to release 110 people from Gaza, 78 of whom were children and women, while 240 Palestinians were released from Israeli jails.
