The NYPD is boosting patrols and bracing as protesters are planing to rally across New York City Tuesday during the 2-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks inside Israel that killed more than 1,000.
The force is on high alert and amping up police presence at sensitive sites across the city, the department announced on X Monday. Police commissioner Jessica Tisch pledged last month to increase police presence during the Jewish Holy Holidays amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinains in Gaza.
“Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the horrific attacks of October 7. There are currently no credible threats to NYC, but out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD is deploying additional resources to sensitive religious & cultural sites across the city,” NYPD said on X.
The pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime has scheduled a protest called “Flood New York City For Gaza” that will take place around 4:30 p.m. in front of the News Corporation building on West 48th street and 6th Ave. in Midtown. The protest called for students to walk out of school and others to walk out of work.
Another group, Behind Enemy Lines, planned a protest called “No Business as usual. Escalate for Gaza” with a speak out in the Bronx set for noon near 138th st. and 3rd ave. in Mott Haven. A protest will converge around 4pm at the Israeli Consulate.
Mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo slammed the protests, questioning the use of hateful rhetoric on the anniversary of the horrific attacks.
“As we approach the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks, we recommit ourselves to standing firmly against hate in every form. Sadly, some are exploiting this moment to promote so-called ‘No Business As Usual — Escalate for Gaza’ demonstrations, laced with violent imagery and rhetoric.
“Let’s be clear: calls to ‘globalize the intifada’ are not abstract slogans — they are calls for violence against Jews,” Cuomo said on X.
Cuomo Sunday called on mayoral rival Zohran Mamdani, the Democatic nominee, to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Mamdani has said he would discuarge use of the phrase, but Cuomo pressed him to go further.
The anniversary of the attacks coincides with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which starts Monday evening. Tisch said she aimed to have heavy police presence around synagogues and other Jewish sites during the Holy Holidays.
“While the war in the Middle East is thousands of miles away, its hate and violence ricocheted across the globe,” Tisch said in a press conference last month.
