Thousands of Pro-Palestinian protesters including students from Columbia University and City University of New York (CUNY) and more than a dozen other New York universities walked out of class to march through the streets on Monday, the first anniversary of the Palestine-Israel conflict, started by the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.

Chanting slogans and holding placards saying "Free Palestine" , the students, many wearing keffiyeh scarves, began marching at 4.30 pm from Lower Manhattan.

The protesters walked to Washington Square Park, Union Square and Wall Street. They unfurled a massive Palestinian flag in front of the New York Stock Exchange. They were met with pro-Israel counter protesters, and angry words were exchanged.

The protesters continued to Fifth Avenue, which snarled traffic, and near Times Square, where pro-Israel protesters carried large Israeli flags. The pro-Palestinian protesters then headed to Columbus Circle at 59th Street to join a large citywide protest.

Rabbi Asher from Brooklyn, New York, told China Daily: "Today I think of the hostages taken. What we need is peace. Then I feel hopeful for a better future. The way to have peace is through strength. We must help each other."

Muhammed, a pro-Palestinian student protester who declined to give his surname, told China Daily: "We must call an end to genocide. I’m here protesting for the Palestinian people. I’m not going to stop until they are free. Free Palestine!"

While the street protests were mainly peaceful, in the afternoon, red graffiti saying "Divest Now" and smashed windows were found at a CUNY building in Hamilton Heights.

At Columbia University in Manhattan, epicenter of the original anti-Israel protests, security barriers were erected. By midmorning, part of the school grounds were closed to visitors, and only those with IDs were allowed in. 

A memorial for the victims displayed their pictures on large cardboard milk cartons, positioned where an anti-Israel encampment had been set up in the past academic year.

Interim Columbia University President Katrina Armstrong announced that heightened campus security and building restrictions would be in effect through Wednesday to prevent the "risk of violence to any member of our community". 

In New York City, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, the New York Police Department stepped up patrols and security measures. At least two people were arrested by the early evening, the NYPD said.

In the afternoon, protesters picketed the home of Rebecca Weiner, NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism. A picture of one of the signs held outside Weiner’s house read: "Abolish NYPD Counter terrorism," an Instagram post by Unityoffields showed.

The group wrote on Instagram: "The movement for a free Palestine cannot and will not be locked behind or shut out by campus gates."

A candle-lighting ceremony was held by the Jewish community in the evening in Central Park, with some of the hostages’ families attending. Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul also attended.

Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School, led a pro-Israeli protest. A "Flood Columbia" protest and "Columbia United Against Terror" rally were held outside campus grounds.

belindarobinson@chinadaily.com