Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were handcuffed in New York as police cleared an anti-Netanyahu protest tied to his United Nations speech.
Story Snapshot
- Police detained protesters near the United Nations during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address.
- Footage and photos showed officers handcuffing actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder.
- Organizers linked the action to Gaza and U.S. arms policy; banners urged an end to weapons sales.
- Reports counted several dozen or more detentions as officers moved in to clear the street.
Who was detained, where it happened, and why it drew cameras
New York City police detained protesters near United Nations headquarters on September 24, 2026, as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his General Assembly speech. Wire footage recorded officers putting handcuffs on Susan Sarandon, while photos captured Hannah Einbinder in cuffs as well. Demonstrators tied the action to Gaza and U.S. support for Israel. Signs read “Stop Arming Israel” and “End the Genocide,” messages that have marked recent rallies nationwide.
The protest formed on First Avenue near the United Nations complex, a frequent pressure point during high-level sessions. Police moved to clear the street after crowds blocked traffic. Reporters on scene described a coordinated sweep, with officers separating seated groups and walking detainees to waiting vans. The count varied by outlet, from more than two dozen to around 30 or more people. That range is common in fast-moving street operations.
Who organized the rally and what they demanded
Jewish Voice for Peace organized the event, a group that often uses nonviolent civil disobedience to press U.S. leaders on military aid to Israel. Chants focused on a ceasefire and cutting weapons transfers. The timing aimed to match Netanyahu’s speech window to maximize attention beyond the protest line. That strategy worked. Cameras flocked to the scene as newsrooms looked for visuals that could stand in for a complex foreign policy debate.
Other public figures joined the action, adding to its draw. Coverage named local officials and activists among those detained, underscoring how city politics and global news collide on United Nations week. Reports listed at least several recognizable names in custody alongside rank-and-file demonstrators, reinforcing that this was a group event rather than a lone celebrity act.
How the numbers, terms, and images shaped the story
Outlets differed on totals and legal labels, with some saying “arrested” and others “detained.” Variety flagged that the specific status for Sarandon and Einbinder was not yet confirmed at the time of its report, while multiple wires used both terms in the broader count. Such gaps track with mass enforcement norms, where on-the-ground processing blurs lines between a brief detention and a formal arrest until paperwork posts.
Actresses Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were among dozens arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest near the United Nations as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly.
The rally, led by Jewish Voice for Peace, blocked a street near U.N.… pic.twitter.com/NdujuScAQu
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 25, 2026
Footage of handcuffing carried the day, as it often does. A clear visual beats a line of text in the social feed, especially when known faces are in frame. That power can tilt coverage toward the famous, even when the core story is a street clearance after a traffic blockage. The wiser read is both things at once: a planned nonviolent sit-down that met a predictable police response, and a media moment that pulled global eyes to a local curb.
Why this fits a familiar New York playbook
United Nations week strains Midtown. Police manage motorcades, frozen zones, and spontaneous protests. When crowds spill into key arteries like First Avenue, officers typically issue warnings and then remove holdouts, especially if heads of state are nearby. That template appears to match what happened here: a timed sit-in, a dispersal, then detentions of those who stayed put. The mix of celebrities, elected officials, and activists is classic New York political theater with real stakes.
Sources:
youtube.com, afp.com, theguardian.com, cbc.ca
