Susan Sarandon was arrested Thursday during a mass police sweep outside the United Nations.
The Oscar winner, 78, was among dozens zip-tied and loaded onto NYPD buses after officers cleared First Avenue ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s General Assembly address, according to law enforcement sources cited by the outlet. Fellow actresses Cynthia Nixon, 58, and Hannah Einbinder, 30, were also taken into custody in the same operation.
The demonstration began around noon, with Jewish Voice For Peace and several allied organizations blocking traffic near the UN headquarters. Protesters targeted Netanyahu’s conduct of the war in Gaza and the escalating conflict with Iran, chanting: “Netanyahu, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!”
Einbinder, best known for her role in Hacks, has drawn previous attention for her advocacy. She declared “Free Palestine” during her Emmy Awards acceptance speech last year, a moment that circulated widely at the time.
The arrests reportedly began less than an hour into the demonstration, once officers started placing restraints on protesters who refused to clear the road. Sarandon, Nixon and Einbinder were swept up alongside ordinary demonstrators rather than being singled out as celebrities.
Progressive City Council members Tiffany Cabán, Chi Ossé, Sandy Nurse and Shahana Hanif were also present at the rally, chanting “Stop arming Israel!” and “Let Iran live” with the crowd. Darializa Avila-Chevalier, a Democratic Socialists of America member and House candidate backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was among those arrested; she reportedly smiled and chanted “Free Palestine” as officers placed her on an NYPD bus.
NYC-DSA leader Gustavo Gordillo and New York State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a fellow democratic socialist, were also named among attendees.
Netanyahu arrived at the UN on schedule and without incident despite the disruption outside, officials confirmed. The United States does not recognize the International Criminal Court’s authority, which allowed him to travel freely to address the General Assembly even though the ICC has issued an arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
The demonstration represented one of the largest protest actions in New York City this year, drawing both established Hollywood figures and emerging political candidates into a coordinated direct action that resulted in mass detention.
Sarandon has been a consistent presence at pro-Palestine demonstrations since the Gaza war intensified, using her visibility to draw mainstream attention to the cause. Her participation Thursday placed her among the most prominent American entertainers to face arrest during the ongoing wave of protests against Israel’s military campaign.
The intersection of celebrity advocacy and electoral politics marked the demonstration as unusual even among the sustained protest activity that has followed the October 7 attacks and subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza.
The mass arrest operation on First Avenue unfolded as Netanyahu prepared to defend his government’s actions before the international body, creating a split-screen moment of diplomatic proceedings inside the UN and street-level confrontation outside its doors.
Netanyahu is scheduled to continue his diplomatic visit with meetings in Washington.