Nearly 100 Arrested in Protest Urging Senators to Stop Bomb Sales to Israel

Demonstrators call on Schumer and Gillibrand to block $600 million in arms sales amid Lebanon conflict and Iran war

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, abstract painting depicting a crowd of protesters marching and chanting, with overlapping geometric shapes and bursts of vibrant color, conveying the energy and urgency of the demonstration against U.S. weapons sales to Israel.Protesters take to the streets of New York City to demand an end to U.S. military aid to Israel amid escalating regional conflicts.NYC Today

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration in New York City led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace. The protesters were calling on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to block the sale of over $600 million in U.S. bombs to Israel amid the country's ongoing military operations in Lebanon and the broader U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing tensions over U.S. military aid to Israel, with many Democrats and constituents pushing for greater oversight and restrictions on arms sales. The demonstration comes as the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders that could block the latest proposed bomb sale to Israel.

The details

Hundreds of protesters initially attempted to stage a sit-in at the Manhattan offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, but were blocked by security. The demonstrators then stopped traffic outside, chanting 'fund people, not bombs' as they were arrested and loaded onto buses. Among those taken into custody were whistleblower Chelsea Manning, actor Hari Nef, and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés.

  • The protest took place on Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution to block the arms sale to Israel later this week.

The players

Chuck Schumer

Senate Democratic Leader and senior U.S. Senator from New York.

Kirsten Gillibrand

U.S. Senator from New York and member of the Democratic Party.

Bernie Sanders

Independent U.S. Senator from Vermont who introduced the resolution to block the arms sale to Israel.

Jewish Voice for Peace

An antiwar group that organized and led the protest in New York City.

Chelsea Manning

Whistleblower who was among those arrested at the protest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is the moment when Schumer and Gillibrand must listen to their constituents. The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing.”

— Sonya Meyerson-Knox, Communications Director, Jewish Voice for Peace

What’s next

The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution to block the arms sale to Israel later this week.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party over U.S. military aid to Israel, with many constituents and progressive lawmakers pushing for greater oversight and restrictions on arms sales amid concerns over Israel's military actions.