A New York Democrat was arrested Thursday during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the United Nations.Darializa Avila Chevalier was charged with disorderly conduct outside United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, according to police cited by Bloomberg.Avila Chevalier defeated five-term Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in June’s primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District.The district includes parts of Harlem and the Bronx and strongly favors Democrats in the general election.Her victory removed the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and handed Mayor Zohran Mamdani another political win.
Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier, who campaigned against continued American support for Israel during its war against Hamas.The protest unfolded as Netanyahu addressed the U.N. General Assembly and defended Israel against accusations over its Gaza campaign.Jewish Voice for Peace organized a demonstration outside the building that drew about 200 participants, according to Reuters.Wearing matching white shirts, protesters carried messages including “Fund people not bombs” and “Free Palestine.”Some participants sat on First Avenue and blocked traffic while police ordered them to clear the roadway.