NYSE Protest Highlights Concerns Over U.S. Military Aid and Arms Profitability

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New York Stock Exchange building with American flag.

Wall Street was busy but not in the normal sense. 200 protesters were arrested in a sit-in to protest Israel’s actions in gaza. The protesters were organized by Jewish Voices for Peace, a Jewish lead, Pro Palestinian group. The demonstration coincided with the anniversary of hamas’s attack on Israel.

Protest Erupts Outside NYSE

On October 14, 2024, the New York Stock Exchange was the site of a large-scale protest against US military aid to Israel and arms manufacturer profiteering. The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voices for Peace, a Jewish-led pro-Palestinian organization, drew hundreds of people to Wall Street for a sit-in.

Protesters wore red shirts that read “Jews say stop arming Israel” and “Not in our name.” The group’s main demands included an arms embargo on Israel and an immediate cease-fire in the ongoing conflict. The demonstration drew approximately 500 people, with some even chaining themselves to a fence outside the NYSE.

Arrests and Disruptions

In response to the protest, the New York Police Department detained 206 protesters. After breaching a fenced perimeter set up by NYSE security on Broad Street in Manhattan, some demonstrators were removed in zip ties. Despite the uproar, trading at the NYSE was not disrupted because protesters did not reach the trading floor.

“As Gaza is bombed, Wall Street booms,” Jewish Voices for Peace said in a post on X Monday. “The stock prices of weapons manufacturers have skyrocketed this year. The U.S. war economy is profiting from genocide.”

The protest focused on the rise in stock prices of American weapons manufacturers during the conflict, drawing attention to the economic implications of ongoing military operations. Chants such as “Endless war, profits soar, arms embargo now!” and “We want housing, not genocide” echoed through the financial district.

Broader Context and Reactions

The demonstration coincided with the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza. It also took place on the same day as an Israeli military attack on Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which reportedly killed at least four people. Additionally, the Lebanese Red Cross reported that an Israeli airstrike in northern Lebanon killed at least 21 people.

“The reason we’re here is to demand that the U.S. government stop sending bombs to Israel and stop profiting off of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” said Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace, the group that organized the demonstration.

Counterprotesters were also present at the scene, waving Israeli flags and attempting to counter the pro-Palestinian chants. The NYSE limited building entry due to the protests, with the NYPD clearing the area by midday.

Political Ramifications

The protest has sparked discussions about the role of the U.S. in international conflicts and the ethics of arms manufacturing and trading. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced the Stop Politicians Profiting from War Act to prevent lawmakers from trading defense stocks, highlighting the broader implications of the demonstration.

“Politicians should not be allowed to profit from genocide,” said MacArthur fellow Ros Petchesky, an 82-year-old JVP member who was active in the movement to end the war in Vietnam, and the oldest person chained to the Wall Street gates on Monday.

As the situation continues to develop, the protest at the NYSE serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between international conflicts, economic interests, and public sentiment. The demonstration’s impact on policy decisions and public discourse remains to be seen.

Sources:

200 arrested at pro-Palestinian Wall Street protest against Israel’s attacks

Pro-Palestine protestors cause disturbance outside the New York Stock Exchange

 

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