Gaza Ceasefire Protesters Burn American Flag In Brooklyn, Raise Terrorist Flag In Front Of NY Stock Exchange | Video

Monday's chaos in Lower Manhattan was caused by hundreds of anti-Israeli demonstrators who stormed the Brooklyn Bridge. Around 3:45 p.m., the marchers—some of whom, according to social media accounts, burnt American flags—converged on the iconic bridge.

They stopped traffic on the side facing Manhattan as police in riot gear tried to quell the commotion.

The streets of Manhattan witnessed a heated demonstration on Monday amid a wave of tension and activity, setting off a series of events that highlighted the sharply divided opinions around the Israel-Palestine dispute. Protesters' passion erupted into a cacophony of voices, banners, and flags as they gathered outside the famous New York Stock Exchange building. But it was only one symbol—a banner featuring the logo of Hezbollah, a group that has been labeled as a terrorist organization—that brought attention to the protest.

Presumably in support of Palestine, the demonstration took place in the context of a larger national movement demanding a reevaluation of US foreign policy toward Israel. Known as "Tax Day," the time was calculated as activists gathered in major cities such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, with the goal of using financial disruption as a vehicle for political expression.

The Hezbollah flag caused an instant uproar amidst the sea of banners and chanting, prompting a prompt response from law officers and spectators alike.

The NYPD responded quickly to put an end to the demonstration while wearing riot gear. They blocked off entry routes, including major roads like the bridge that leads to City Hall, and enforced a zero-tolerance policy. At least two dozen people were handcuffed before the day was up, according to videos that went viral online. The conflict was intense as police moved in to subdue the protesters.

While reports initially suggested a large-scale crackdown, official records indicated only a single arrest by late afternoon, raising questions about the proportionality of the police response. Meanwhile, a subset of protestors opted for a strategic retreat, dispersing into the city's labyrinthine subway system to evade capture.