BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn (WABC) — More rallies and events, both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian, are planned for Sunday after a night of arrests at pro-Palestinian protests in Brooklyn.
At 11 a.m., a pro-Israel rally began in Brooklyn. The event, held in Manhattan Beach, featured musical performances and guest speakers, including Mayor Eric Adams.
On Long Island, the Nassau County Holocaust Remembrance and Tolerance Center is hosting a candlelight vigil for Israel from 4 p.m.
Another pro-Palestinian rally will be held in Paterson, New Jersey.
Chaos and clashes broke out on the streets of Brooklyn on Saturday, and police said more than a dozen people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Bay Ridge.
NYPD officers pushed back the demonstrators and ordered them off the road. The rally continued into the night, eventually leading to tensions between police and demonstrators.
Police said 19 people were detained and 16 were charged with disorderly conduct. The other three face more serious charges, including resisting arrest.
Protests began several hours earlier Saturday and were more peaceful, with thousands of people taking to the streets of Bay Ridge. Many marched to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East.
They came from all over the city to demand peace and a ceasefire abroad.
“In general, I want peace. I think there is a way to get there through dialogue, instead of parties killing each other. That’s why I’m here,” Srihari Sathe said. said.
Crowds grew throughout the afternoon and Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge was closed.
At Saturday’s protests, not only the Palestinian community, but also various members of other communities expressed the same message for the liberation of Palestine.
“As a Jew, I don’t want Judaism to be the reason for this profession,” Olivia Morrow said.
“Just treat the Palestinians as human beings. They are entitled to all human rights like any other civilian. Just treat them as human beings. That’s all we ask.” Saba Tahir added.
As tensions rise overseas, demonstrators say solutions other than war are needed.
Another demonstrator said: “Israel has all the resources and power to fight against the Palestinians. Israel has far fewer resources left and the death toll on the Palestinian side is far higher. This is a symmetrical It’s not the situation,” he said.
Protesters say they will continue to speak out to bring harmony and ensure innocent people are not killed.
Video: Eyewitness News reporter Josh Einiger reports from Israel
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