Socialist House Nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier Arrested at Anti-Netanyahu Protest Outside UN
Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic Socialist nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District, was taken into custody Thursday during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, her campaign said.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic Socialist nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District, was arrested Thursday during a demonstration outside the United Nations General Assembly, where protesters gathered to oppose Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the body, according to her campaign and public media reports.
The candidate was among dozens of demonstrators taken into custody after protesters blocked a roadway near the UN complex ahead of Netanyahu's speech. A post from her campaign's social media account said she was arrested while «peacefully protesting Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations.» The statement added: «Our government has unlimited funds to arm a genocide against Palestinians but tells us there's nothing left to feed and house our own people. Stop arming Israel!»
The demonstration drew roughly 250 protesters to the corner of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan, according to City & State New York. Police began making arrests after demonstrators sitting in the roadway refused to move. Outlets reported that between 80 and 100 protesters who declined orders to disperse were taken into custody.
Avila Chevalier defended her participation after her arrest. «Netanyahu belongs at the Hague, not in the streets of New York City, and certainly not addressing the United Nations General Assembly,» she said in a statement reported by Bloomberg.
She was not the only New York political figure detained. City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were also arrested during the demonstration, according to City & State. The Daily Mail reported that actress Susan Sarandon was among those detained. Additional reports identified actress Hannah Einbinder, the Emmy-winning star of «Hacks,» as another participant who was arrested. After her release, Einbinder urged the U.S. government to «bring an end» to Israel's attacks on Gaza and asked followers to focus on «the devastating genocidal war,» according to social media posts and entertainment outlets. Other public figures reported at the demonstration included Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, Indya Moore, Mary Beth Barone, Caleb Hearon and Sarah Sherman.
Avila Chevalier, 32, pulled off a major Democratic primary upset in June when she defeated five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the heavily Democratic 13th District, which covers Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed her in late May during an appearance on MS NOW, praising her commitment to working-class New Yorkers and saying he looked forward to fighting alongside her for their shared affordability agenda.
She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and received backing from the group's New York City chapter during her congressional campaign. Avila Chevalier has also been a prominent pro-Palestinian activist. She previously led anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and said she helped launch Columbia University Apartheid Divest's boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign. CUAD later drew scrutiny for social media posts, including «Death to America» and a call for the «eradication of Western civilization.»
The arrests came as Netanyahu visited New York for the UN General Assembly meeting, drawing protests from critics of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The demonstration outside UN headquarters was one of several planned during his visit. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations had earlier criticized Mamdani, accusing him of «sowing chaos» ahead of Netanyahu's appearance.
Fox News Digital reached out to Avila Chevalier's campaign for additional information about the arrest but did not immediately receive a response. The NYPD directed inquiries to its public information phone line but declined to provide additional information when reached by phone.
The arrests underscore the intensifying domestic debate over U.S. support for Israel, with progressive candidates and public figures increasingly willing to face legal consequences to press their demands. Avila Chevalier's arrest is likely to amplify her profile as she heads into the general election in a district where Democratic voters hold a decisive advantage.
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