Socialist NY House candidate arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest

Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District, was arrested Thursday while demonstrating against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the United Nations General Assembly. The arrest occurred after protesters blocked a roadway near the UN headquarters, leading police to take dozens of demonstrators into custody. Avila Chevalier, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, posted on social media that she was arrested while peacefully protesting Netanyahu's speech. Her campaign statement criticized the government for funding military operations against Palestinians while claiming insufficient resources to house and feed domestic residents, urging an end to arms sales to Israel.

City & State New York reported that approximately 250 protesters gathered at the corner of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan. Police initiated arrests after demonstrators sitting in the roadway refused to disperse. Other New York political figures were also detained during the event. City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were taken into custody, according to City & State, while The Daily Mail reported that actress Susan Sarandon was among those arrested. Media outlets indicated that roughly 80 to 100 protesters who remained at the scene after refusing orders were ultimately detained.

Avila Chevalier defended her participation in the protest in a statement reported by Bloomberg, stating that Netanyahu belongs at the Hague rather than addressing the UN General Assembly. The 32-year-old candidate gained national attention in June after defeating five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the Democratic primary for the 13th District, which includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier in late May during an appearance on MS NOW, citing her commitment to working-class New Yorkers and a shared affordability agenda.

The candidate has been identified as a pro-Palestinian activist who led anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and helped launch the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). That organization later faced scrutiny over social media posts containing phrases such as "Death to America" and calls for the "eradication of Western civilization." Fox News Digital contacted Avila Chevalier's campaign for comment but did not receive an immediate response. The NYPD directed inquiries to its public-information line but declined to provide further details when reached by phone.