Hundreds of protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war streamed into Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on Friday, in one of the largest protests New York City has seen since the start of the conflict three weeks ago.
The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, came as Israel ramped up its military operations inside Gaza.
The protesters filled the train station, chanting, “Cease-fire now” and “Let Gaza live.” Most wore black shirts that read “not in our name.” One police officer estimated that there were as many as 1,000 protesters.
Steve Auerbach, a pediatrician in the city, said he was concerned about the children caught in the middle of the conflict.
“This has to stop,” he said. “Calling for a cease-fire should be considered a mainstream, normative position.”
Banners declaring “Palestinians should be free” and “Israelis demand cease-fire now” were unfurled over stairwell banisters in the terminal.