Police arrested Susan Sarandon Thursday as she joined a Netanyahu protest near the United Nations in New York City. The Oscar winner appeared in cuffs alongside other demonstrators ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the U.N. General Assembly. The celebrity protest also drew Hannah Einbinder, Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page and several other well-known figures. However, police did not arrest everyone who attended.
Police arrested Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder as celebrities joined the Netanyahu protest in NYC
Video obtained by TMZ showed officers escorting Susan Sarandon away from the demonstration in cuffs on Sept. 24. The footage also captured police leading Hacks star Hannah Einbinder away.
Jewish Voice for Peace, which organized the demonstration with several partner groups, confirmed the arrests in an official statement. The organization said police arrested more than 100 people during the action.
According to the group, demonstrators called for the U.S. to stop providing weapons to Israel and protested Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Protesters also carried signs and chanted messages accusing Netanyahu and Israel of genocide. Those descriptions reflect the demonstrators’ stated position.
The NYPD provided additional context about the arrests. A police spokesperson told The Guardian that officers responded to an “unscheduled demonstration” where participants blocked an intersection.
Police said officers warned the group to leave the roadway. Officers then took several people who remained into custody.
Einbinder also spoke as officers led her away. Jewish Voice for Peace quoted the actress as saying she felt a moral responsibility to protest and oppose U.S. support for Israel’s military campaign.
Meanwhile, Susan Sarandon has publicly supported Palestinian causes for years. Earlier this month, she said her political views had continued to affect her Hollywood career.
The latest Netanyahu protest brought that activism back into public view. Footage showing Sarandon and Einbinder leaving in cuffs quickly became one of the most visible celebrity moments surrounding Netanyahu’s New York visit.
