A tense scene unfolded outside John Jay College on West 59th Street in Manhattan as Pro-Palestine protesters gathered to oppose an event featuring Israeli reservist Stav Cohen. The demonstration, which drew a large crowd, quickly became chaotic when barricades were pushed between protesters and NYPD officers trying to keep the area secure.
The protest began peacefully, with demonstrators occupying the sidewalk and chanting as attendees made their way into the building. However, as more people arrived and the crowd grew tighter, tensions escalated. Officers deployed metal barricades in an attempt to maintain clear pathways and prevent the crowd from spilling into the street.
Video from the scene shows moments when protesters shoved the barricades toward officers, leading to brief clashes as police tried to regain control of the barriers. NYPD held their positions and repeatedly instructed the crowd to step back while ensuring the entrance to the building remained accessible.
Another angle of the incident revealed just how quickly the situation shifted. What began as a tightly packed crowd turned into a series of confrontations as groups pushed forward, forcing officers to physically brace themselves against the barricades. Demonstrators continued chanting while others recorded the unfolding tension on their phones.
