Comedian Caleb Hearon was among protesters detained by the New York Police Department outside the United Nations in Manhattan on Sept. 24 during demonstrations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s U.N. appearance, sources report.
Multiple outlets said Hearon, who has appeared on HBO and tours stand-up, was photographed and filmed being led away by officers near First Avenue as demonstrators chanted and attempted to block traffic ahead of Netanyahu’s speech.
Organizers and news organizations reported that police detained more than 100 people at the protest, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, and several local politicians, according to CNN and The Guardian.
The demonstrations were organized by pro-Palestinian groups and called for an end to U.S. arms support for Israel and for Netanyahu to be arrested, coverage says. Video circulating on social platforms showed groups moving onto First Avenue near the U.N. complex and officers making multiple arrests.
Local reporting noted that the detentions occurred as Netanyahu addressed the U.N. General Assembly in New York, a day that also drew walkouts from some delegates, placing the protest in the wider context of high-profile U.N. activity this week.
Caleb Hearon was named in several reports listing those taken into custody; CNN and Variety included him among entertainers and activists detained that day. The Guardian described officers moving through the crowd and officers leading away named individuals.
Why it matters: arrests of public figures at U.N.-area demonstrations tend to draw national attention and renew debate over policing of protests in New York, where city officials had briefed on U.N. security plans earlier in the week, according to local coverage.
The piece includes context on how these protests intersect with U.N. events and the city’s preparations; for background on broader reaction to Netanyahu’s U.N. appearance see coverage of the speech and related walkouts.
Sources
- The Guardian — reported Hearon and others were detained and described arrests outside the U.N.
- CNN — provided a count of “more than 100” detained and named several high-profile arrestees.
- Variety — listed entertainers including Hearon among those detained at the protest.
- PIX11 — published local reporting and photos of arrests near First Avenue by the U.N.
- The Hill — noted elected officials and candidates were among those taken into custody.
