Democratic candidate backed by DSA arrested during protest against Netanyahu in New York

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) arrested several protesters during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Among them was Darializa Ávila Chevalier, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 13th District and endorsed by the organization Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Ávila Chevalier was arrested for blocking a street in Manhattan while participating in a protest against the presence of the Israeli prime minister at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UN). On Thursday afternoon, protesters sat down in the street and blocked traffic, leading to the arrest of some participants by authorities.

In addition to the Democratic candidate, politicians present included New York City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés, State Senator Jabari Brisport and other lawmakers. According to the local media outlet City & State New York, approximately 80 protesters were arrested after police ordered them to clear the street and some refused to do so.

"As the Democratic Nominee for New York’s 13th Congressional District, I refuse to allow a war criminal to roam the streets of our city unchallenged. I refuse to play host to a man who has overseen the slaughter or injury of more than 64,000 children in Gaza with American taxpayer dollars," Ávila Chevalier said in a statement released to the aforementioned media outlet.

What did Netanyahu say at the UN?

Israel's prime minister defended Israel's actions during the conflict with Hamas at the UN and asserted that the fall of the Iranian government is "only a matter of time."

"We will continue to defend our state. We will continue to win because we have no other choice," he continued.

Netanyahu also took aim at the demonstrators protesting outside the UN and at the delegates who walked out of the hall: "Where were you when the Iranian tyrants butchered and maimed tens of thousands of unarmed Iranian civilians?"

In turn, the Israeli prime minister stated that the United States and Israel acted jointly to "save civilization," and also highlighted their cooperation in securing the return of hostages held in Gaza. He noted that an agreement brokered by Washington last year led to the release of the last remaining hostages held by terrorist groups, both alive and deceased.