We shut down Grand Central station to demand a ceasefire.

We’re watching a genocide unfold in real time. In just three weeks, the Israeli military has killed over 8,000 Palestinians in Gaza, among them over 3,000 children. That’s more than the annual number of children killed in conflicts across the globe since 2019. 

As the Israeli military plunged Gaza into darkness on Friday — cutting off all internet access and cell service in the besieged enclave — thousands of Jews and allies held a historic sit-in that shut down New York City’s iconic Grand Central Station to say, “Ceasefire now.” “Let Gaza live.” Banners covered the train schedules, reading “Never again for anyone” and “Palestinians should be free.”

Thousands chanted, 500 participated in civil disobedience, and over 350 people were arrested, including rabbis, elected officials, elders, and celebrities. This sit-in, which was organized by JVP, was the largest act of civil disobedience in New York City since the Iraq War.

After police shut down all train lines and entrances, thousands more rallied outside beneath slogans projected onto buildings: “Mourn the dead and fight for the living” and “Ceasefire Now.”

The unprecedented demonstration generated wall-to-wall mainstream coverage in the U.S. and around the world, including the top article of the New York Times, making it clear: The whole world is watching. As the Israeli military relentlessly bombed Gaza, and images of thousands of protesters shutting down Grand Central station flooded social media, #CeasefireNow became the number one trending topic on Twitter.

There can be no business as usual while our tax dollars are used to fund a genocide in Palestine. From congressional offices, to the halls of the Capitol, to the center of New York City, we will do everything in our power to demand an end to U.S. support for genocide and apartheid. 

Shut it down: JVP’s Grand Central action generated wall-to-wall coverage.

Friday’s action was covered by over 80 media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, the Associated Press, CBS, Reuters, ABC, and NBC. It also generated international press, with coverage appearing in English, Arabic, Spanish, and French.

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