NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – All on-duty NYPD officers reported in uniform on Friday as a precaution after former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for a "Day of Protest" to support Palestinians.
While there are no specific, credible threats to New York City, tensions are high and there are concerns the "Day of Rage" could lead to street clashes or other violence, prompting the heightened security in New York.
Police have prepared for a rally in the Times Square area and any other demonstrations that pop up and have increased their presence in the transit system and at houses of worship.
HERE'S THE LATEST:
5: p.m. – "Day of Protest" to support Palestinians underway
The "All Out for Palestine" protest began at 3 p.m. and lasted for nearly two hours in Times Square between West 41st and West 42nd on Broadway. Protests were blocking roads near these intersections.
Large banners with calls to political action could be seen, including signs that read "End all U.S. funding of Israeli Apartheid".
A protest is being held in Times Square as part of the "Day of Protest" in support of Palestinians.Carol D
The protest was organized by Palestinian supporters amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The "All Out for Palestine" protest was organized in association with the "Day of Protest".No Credit
The crowd engaged in call and response chants, with leaders of the protest calling "If we don't get no justice" before the crowd responded "Then they don't get no peace".
There were subsequent responses of "Free Palestine".
Protestors hold signs in support of Palestine.David Caplan
Protestors held signs promoting a variety of political ideas including: "Gaza resists mass imprisonment"; "This is genocide"; "Palestine will never walk alone"; "Palestine will be free".
On 6th Avenue, a crowd of pro-Israel protestors were counter-protesting the gathering in support of Palestine.
The protest occurred largely without issue. Protestors started clearing the area at 5 p.m. and marched toward the Israel consulate.
1:45 p.m. – Photos show increased NYPD patrols
The NYPD increased its presence throughout the city on Friday, focusing on locations like synagogues and mosques, as well as transit centers and places where protests are expected in the afternoon, including near Times Square.
Images show an increased NYPD presence in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which counts many Jewish residents amount its population.
At a news conference this week, Mayor Eric Adams said, "There are things that are seen like our various teams that are out there, but there's a lot of unseen activity that [NYPD Intelligence and Counterterrorism] is doing to make sure that we stay on top of this. And all the commanders that have...the locations where we have high Jewish population, particularly in our Hasidic community, because they are a visible sign of the Jewish community."
A member of the NYPD patrols in front of the synagogue Congregation Bais Yaakov Nechamia Dsatmar on Oct. 13, 2023 in Williamsburg.Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
A member of the NYPD speaks with a resident on Oct. 13, 2023 in Williamsburg.Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
A member of the NYPD patrols in front of a synagogue on Oct. 13, 2023 in Williamsburg.Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Police patrol a neighborhood in Brooklyn with a large Orthodox Jewish community on Oct. 12, 2023.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Members of the NYPD patrol in front of a synagogue on Oct. 13, 2023 in Williamsburg.Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Joshua Davidson, senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side, spoke about security preparations at the synagogue on Newsline with Brigitte Quinn Friday. Davidson encouraged attendance Friday night and said his message is "one of solidarity" with Israel, as well as "one of courage." "We stand together, we draw strength from one another," he said. Listen here:
1:30 p.m. – NYPD commish of counterterrorism says city is well prepared for protests
Rebecca Weiner, the deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism at the NYPD, spoke on Newsline with Brigitte Quinn Friday about the increased police presence for the "Day of Rage."
"In light of social media posts that are causing a lot of concern, we want New Yorkers to understand that we're here for reassurance, as well as for deterrence," Weiner said.
She said that in addition to the deployment of officers, a lot goes on behind the scenes, including the monitoring of online chatter.
"The intelligence piece and the deployment piece fit together and help protect this city," Weiner said.
She said there are no credible threats to the city and that the department sees no reason for people to stay home and avoid going out Friday.
As for protests that are expected to pop up in Times Square and possibly elsewhere in the city, Weiner said, "We don't anticipate violence associated with these protests, precisely because we have a good plan in place of having personnel to make sure everything stays calm and peaceful."
1:15 p.m. – Local leaders respond to arrest of NYC councilwoman on gun charge
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, both Democrats, were among the elected leaders and lawmakers who responded to the arrest of Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who was charged Friday with a criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly bringing a gun to a pro-Palestine protest at Brooklyn College on Thursday.
"It is unacceptable and unlawful for a civilian to ever bring a firearm to a rally or protest, and especially important for elected officials to model a respect for the law that is expected of all New Yorkers," Adams said in her statement.
The speaker said she was referring the matter to the Standards and Ethics Committee.
Office of Adrienne Adams
Williams also condemned Vernikov in his statement, saying in part, "Council Member Vernikov carrying and showing off a weapon as a tool of intimidation and seeming threat of violence against protesters shows a dangerous dereliction of our duty as elected officials to help New Yorkers be and feel safe. I am relieved that she has now been charged for this action and surrendered her permit."
Vernikov, who is Jewish, said she went to the protest to make sure Jewish students felt safe on the Brooklyn College campus.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul previously wrote on social media in response to the arrest: "New York's gun safety laws apply to everyone."
12:15 p.m. – Security ramped up in NY transit system, rail hubs
There will be an increased police presence in the subway and on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North commuter lines on Friday and this weekend, officials said.
"Not only do we have the NYPD and the MTA PD, but at Gov. Hochul's action, the state police and the National Guard are also present at major transportation facilities," MTA Chair Janno Lieber told reporters at Grand Central on Friday.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber was at Grand Central Terminal on Friday.Roger Stern
NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper ensured riders there's no credible threat, but he said the department is increasing its presence in the subway out of an abundance of caution.
"To be quite frank, not much is changing, maybe an increased level to reassure the public," Kemper said.
The MTA Police Department will increase its patrols at trains and stations serving the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.
For MTA Police Chief John Mueller, the threats may be more vivid—he happened to be in Israel on a training mission during last weekend's terrorist attack.
"What the Israeli people are going through right now, we don't want ever to happen by any means or measure here in the United States," Mueller said.
While there are currently no credible threats to New York, officials urged anyone to call 911 or the New York Terrorism Tips Hotline at 1-888-NYC-SAFE to report any suspicious activity, such as an unattended package in the subway.
11 a.m. – NYC Council Member Inna Vernikov arrested for bringing gun to Brooklyn protest
Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon Friday after she took a handgun to a pro-Palestine protest on Thursday.
The Republican councilwoman, who is Jewish, recorded a video of herself during the protest at the Brooklyn College campus in Flatbush. She said she went to make sure Jewish students feel safe.
She can be seen with a gun clipped to her waistband in footage posted online.
Early Friday, Vernikov turned herself in with her lawyer at the 70th Precinct stationhouse and was charged. She was issued a desk appearance ticket.
Vernikov does have a concealed carry permit, but a legal expert wrote on X that she appeared to be breaking state law by bringing a gun to a protest, which is a "sensitive location."
Vernikov, who represents a swath of Brooklyn that includes Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay, wasn't immediately available for comment Friday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul commented on the incident Friday, retweeting the news of Vernikov's arrest and writing, "New York's gun safety laws apply to everyone."
10 a.m. – Schumer leading group of senators to Israel
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is headed to Israel this weekend to discuss what resources the United States can provide for its war against Hamas.
The New York senator is leading a bipartisan group of senators to the country "to show the United States' unwavering support for Israel," his office said. Schumer is the first Jewish majority leader of the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S.
The visit comes as Congress is considering how much money and equipment to send to Israel.
Schumer's office said he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and senior opposition figure Benny Gantz, who is part of a newly formed wartime cabinet in Israel. His office has not released the names of the senators who will be traveling with him.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. speaks during a news conference after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese officials, at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Oct. 9, 2023.AP Photo/Andy Wong, File
9 a.m. – France bans pro-Palestinian demonstrations
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin ordered local authorities to ban all pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid a rise in antisemitic acts since the Hamas attack.
France is estimated to have the world's third-largest Jewish population after Israel and the U.S., and the largest Muslim population in Western Europe.
A vice president of France's lower house of parliament, Naima Moutchou, said the National Assembly "expresses its solidarity and thoughts for the victims, their families and the educational community as we learn that a teacher has been killed and several others have been injured.″
French authorities were investigating a knife attack at a high school in the city of Arras north of Paris as a potential act of terrorism. A man killed a teacher and injured two other people.
8:30 a.m. – Hochul, Adams say no credible threats to NY
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams held a virtual security briefing on Thursday night to reassure New Yorkers that security measures are in place statewide for Friday's "Day of Protest," also being referred to as the "Day of Rage."
"We want to reiterate to New Yorkers, there's no reason to feel afraid," Hochul said. "No one should feel they have to alter their normal lives or their routines. And indeed, when we change our behavior without a serious, credible threat, then we're letting the terrorists win. I want all New Yorkers to feel confident going to a synagogue, going to school, walking to the streets of New York and throughout our state over the next few days."
Security is being ramped up across the state at places like synagogues, mosques, schools, cultural centers, and other gathering places. Hochul said even with additional measures, everyone will have to decide individually whether they want to attend events, services or school on Friday.
"There is currently no intelligence showing any active threats in New York, that is the entire State of New York," the governor said. "But in a moment fraught like this, we will continue to exercise elevated vigilance and impose measures to deter any potential violence."
The governor said she visited the state police's intelligence center and has been in close contact with the White House and Department of Homeland Security. Meanwhile, the mayor's office has been working closely with the NYPD and has held meetings with Jewish and Muslim groups across the five boroughs.
"With large‑scale protests planned for [Friday], we must remain vigilant," Adams said. "New York City is the most diverse city in the world, and protecting our residents is the most sacred responsibility that we have. We have directed the NYPD to surge additional resources to schools and houses of worship to ensure that they are safe and that our city remains a place of peace."
8 a.m. – Every NYPD officer will report in uniform Friday
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said the pronouncement by a former Hamas leader for a "day of rage" has been taken very seriously by the department, with every on-duty officer ordered to report in uniform for potential deployment as a precaution.
"We are at heightened alert to what's going on overseas," Chell told reporters Thursday. "Now we're going to Shabbat, and there is no direct threats to New York City, but there's threats on the internet from various places."
The NYPD will have a strong uniformed presence across the city, including at a protest planned in the afternoon near Times Square. Police are adding patrols and beefing up security at key locations.
"We mobilize our resources the best we can, it gives us the ability to move quickly, and in that security posture, just have many resources that can be seen out there to make people feel safe," the chief said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
