NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Hundreds gathered in Midtown Wednesday morning for a rally calling for the safe and immediate release of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The rally began at 9:30 a.m. in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza – near the UN headquarters on E 45th Street – and was hosted by a variety of organizations and sponsors, including the UJA Federation New York and the American Jewish Committee.
Flyers promoting the event said it was “Supported by the families of captives.”
Protestors linked arms and sang in their call for the release of the hostages, many of whom held Israeli flags and "KIDNAPPED" posters with information on missing Israeli captives.
Eric Dinowitz – New York City Council Member for District 11 – spoke at the rally, calling the issue uncomplicated.
“We are here to say do not forget about the 200 innocent families, seniors, Holocaust survivors and children who are being held captive,” Dinowitz said. “We cannot forget them. They must be released.”
The lineup of speakers included other prominent community leaders like Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, NYS Senator Liz Krueger and NYS Assemblymember Alex Bores.
The rally comes in the wake of dueling protests between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian supporters on Tuesday in Washington Square Park where police formed a barricade in order to alleviate aggression, per PIX 11.