Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Wednesday as they staged a sit-in in the lobby of a Midtown East skyscraper, demanding that a company in the building stop providing arms to Israel.
Sporting shirts that read “Stop Starving Gaza” and “End the Siege,” more than 150 Palestinian and Jewish protesters sat down on the floor and refused to leave the lobby of the E. 45th St. building near Lexington Ave. beginning around 11 a.m.
The protesters, members of the Palestinian Youth Movement and Jewish Voice for Peace, were demanding that Maersk, a shipping and logistics company in the building, stop shipping military equipment to the Israeli government.
NYPD officers were called to the address and picked protesters up off the floor and took them to an awaiting police van. At least 50 had been taken into custody by the time the protest ended.
Protesters also demanded that more food and aid be sent to Gaza following the detention of activists participating in the Freedom Flotilla that had planned to bring needed supplies to the war-torn area.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was on the ship when it was intercepted on its way to Gaza, officials reported this week.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been held in New York since Hamas brutally attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
During the ensuing conflict, some protesters have targeted New York City colleges, institutions and companies that either have accepted money from Israel or have supplied money to the country over the years.
The exact number of protesters arrested Wednesday was not immediately disclosed. Charges were pending.
A spokesman for Maersk said the company was aware of the protest.
“We are grateful the demonstration appears to have been generally peaceful with no reported damage to property, and all Maersk colleagues are safe,” the spokesman said.
Originally Published: June 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM EDT
